Greenwich: Voluntary Water Use Reductions Still Needed

GREENWICH, Conn. – The Aquarion Water Company is still asking town residents to voluntarily conserve water by not watering certain outside plants or lawns through at least Sunday, Aug. 21.

Officials in Greenwich are asking town residents to limit their outdoor water usage through the rest of the summer.
Photo Credit: *Contributed*

James O'Rourke

08/18/2016 11:33 p.m.

Utility customers are additionally asked to limit watering their lawns to twice a week through the remainder of the summer, according to a statement from Aquarion, which specifically asks that people not use in-ground sprinkler systems, hose-end sprinklers or soaker hoses.

Hand-held hoses for watering gardens are acceptable, according to the statement.

The utility is reminded owners of private wells that they, too, should adhere to the requests if possible.

“In Greenwich, we have residents served by both public water and private wells,” said First Selectman Peter J. 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, local 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 – a level of usage that “strains both the surface and ground water supplies.”

This season’s low groundwater levels are said to be similar to those reported during the same time last year, according to officials, who said that 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,” Savageau said. “This is extremely important especially in the backcountry where irrigation may affect private wells and fire ponds.”

Aquarion offered several tips to reduce outdoor water usage. They include:

Do add compost to your soil and use mulch in your garden to hold in moisture.
Do water gardens only when needed and use drip irrigation.
Do water lawns only when needed. One inch of water per week is enough, in the fall even less is needed.
Do make sure that you know how to manually control your irrigation system.
Do make sure you are watering the lawn and not the sidewalk or street.
Do water in the early morning or early evening to avoid evaporation.
Do plan ahead. A garden and yard designed for water conservation will be a benefit to you and your community.

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