Reservoirs are Replenished, Connecticut Water Officials Say

Connecticut Water on Friday said all its reservoirs throughout Connecticut are at 100 percent of their capacity.

Although precipitation in the first quarter of 2017 was slightly below average, according to the Northeast Climate Center, reservoirs were replenished, just at a slower than normal rate.

Craig J. Patla, Connecticut Water’s vice president for service delivery, said that with supplies at normal levels, the company is lifting its water supply advisory. But he added the utility continues to encourage customers to "use water wisely."

He added, “In 2015 and 2016 we also started the season with reservoirs at capacity, but then experienced precipitation well below annual and seasonal averages. With that recent history we believe it is prudent for customers to continue to be smart about their water use, should we experience another abnormally dry year. Our priority is to ensure that we continue to have adequate water supplies for essential household, business, municipal and fire protection needs.”

Patla said that groundwater resources, which are more difficult to gauge than reservoirs, are still recovering from the drought conditions.

Connecticut Water officials said the utility's 2016 Water Drop Challenge, drew nearly 5,000 customers who pledged to reduce their billed water consumption by 10 percent over the prior year.

More than 60 percent of the customers reduced their water usage and in total saved more than 30 million gallons of water, enough to supply 500 households with water for an entire year, officials said.

The tips that helped customers meet the Water Drop Challenge are available at Connecticut Water’s website: www.ctwater.com/conservation.

Connecticut Water Company serves 93,000 customers in 56 towns in Connecticut. The towns served include: Ashford, Avon, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Bolton, Brooklyn, Burlington, Canton, Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Columbia, Coventry, Deep River, Durham, East Granby, East Haddam, East Hampton, East Windsor, Ellington, Enfield, Essex, Farmington, Griswold, Guilford, Hebron, Killingly, Killingworth, Lebanon, Madison, Manchester, Mansfield, Marlborough, Middlebury, Naugatuck, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Plainfield, Plymouth, Portland, Prospect, Somers, South Windsor, Stafford, Stonington, Suffield, Thomaston, Thompson, Tolland, Vernon, Voluntown, Waterbury, Westbrook, Willington, Windsor Locks and Woodstock.

Photo Credit: CT Water