Aquarion and Town of Greenwich Urge Water Conservation

sink and tubIn coordination with Aquarion Water Company, the Town of Greenwich is asking residents to increase their water conservation efforts, especially related to outdoor water use. Specifically, residents are is encouraged to conserve water by not watering lawns through Sunday, August 21, due to the recent rain. Customers are also urged to limit lawn irrigation to a maximum of twice a week (any two days) for the remainder of the season. This applies to irrigation systems, hose-end sprinklers, and soaker hoses, while use of a hand-held hoses for watering of gardens, is acceptable at any time. Residents served by private wells also are reminded that this action applies to them.

“In Greenwich, we have residents served by both public water and private wells,” said First Selectman Peter  Tesei. “We are experiencing an exceptionally dry summer and we need to make sure that all residents reduce their outdoor water usage.”

According to Conservation Director Denise Savageau, outdoor water use can increase water consumption from an average of 18 million gallons per day in the summer to more than 32 million gallons per day in Greenwich. That usage strains both the surface and ground water supplies.

In September 2015, Greenwich experienced very low groundwater levels. Once again, summer ground water levels have continued to drop and are similar to last year’s levels for the same time period.

Water conservation is something that residents are reminded to practice every day.

“Reduction of outdoor water use is one way to really cut down on overall water demand in Town. This is extremely important especially in the backcountry where irrigation may affect private wells and fire ponds,” said Savageau.

The Town actively monitors both surface and groundwater supplies in coordination with Aquarion, state and federal agencies.

The following tips are offered to help reduce outdoor water use:

1. Do add compost to your soil and use mulch in your garden to hold in moisture.

2. Do water gardens only when needed and use drip irrigation.

3. Do water lawns only when needed. One inch of water per week is enough, in the fall even less is needed.

4. Do make sure that you know how to manually control your irrigation system.

5. Do make sure you are watering the lawn and not the sidewalk or street.

6. Do water in the early morning or early evening to avoid evaporation.

7. Do plan ahead. A garden and yard designed for water conservation will be a benefit to you and your community.