Aquarion Extends Voluntary Conservation Measures

Aquarion Water Company has extended its request for residents of Darien and surrounding areas to conserve water through Friday, July 16.

The recommended measures are voluntary but important for assuring the systemwide availability of water during a period of high heat and limited rainfall, according to a statement from Aquarion.  

"With this extreme heat, it is important for all our customers to assist in this important effort, to ensure everyone in our entire at-large community has the water they need, when they need it," Charles V. Firlotte, President and CEO of Aquarion, said in a statement.

During last week's heat wave, Aquarion received reports of low pressure and discoloration across Fairfield County. Officials said the company saw record levels of demand last Tuesday, pumping some 140 million gallons of water.

To "help ensure sufficient water supply and reduce the likelihood of outages," Aquarion is asking that customers alternate garden irrigation or lawn watering dates based on the parity of their street addresses.

Those with odd street numbers are asked to limit such activities to odd-numbered dates, while those with even street numbers are asked to conduct them only on even-numbered dates. All are asked to restrict waterings to between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. or 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. in order to avoid peak usage hours.

Though new lawns require regular watering, customers with established lawns are requested to defer watering for a week, Aquarion spokesman Bruce Silverstone said in a statement.

The company has released the following expanded list of household recommendations:

• Use watering cans or hoses with shut-off nozzles for gardens instead of sprinklers. 
• Defer washing boats, cars, and other motor vehicles at home for at least a week.
• When using a car wash, be sure it recycles its water.
• Turn off any ornamental fountains.
• Defer power-washing homes, decks or other areas.
• Cover pools when not in use to prevent evaporation.

In addition, municipalities and businesses have been asked to observe the following restrictions:

• Reduce use of water for any industrial and commercial air conditioners unless a re-circulating water system is in place.
• Do not use water to wet down streets, sidewalks, driveways, construction sites or parking areas unless the local health department certifies a health or safety risk.
• Do not put sprinkler caps on fire hydrants.
• Defer water use for street sweeping.
• Water athletic fields and clay tennis courts for one hour between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. only.
• Operate sprinklers or other irrigation systems on golf course greens and tees from 9 p.m.-midnight, or 3 a.m. - 6 a.m.