Pomperaug River Flow Drops Below Threshold, Prompting Water Conservation In Southbury

SOUTHBURY, CT — Officials are urging residents served by the Heritage Village water system and private well owners in the Pomperaug River Basin to use water wisely, after river flows dropped below a key threshold outlined in the area’s low-flow operations plan.

The current flow in the Pomperaug River has fallen below 32.7 cubic feet per second (cfs), triggering the plan’s first action level—referred to as “Increased Awareness.” As of this week, flow levels have declined to about 20 cfs due to limited rainfall and persistent heat, according to the Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition.

“We’ve been keeping a close eye on flows since the beginning of July and they have been hovering around 30 to 35 cfs,” said Carol Haskins, Executive Director of the Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition. “This week we saw the flows drop quickly from 35 cfs to 25 cfs to under 20 cfs with the lack of rain and warm temperatures. With little rain in the forecast and continued heat, we consulted with CT Water and the Town of Southbury and agreed it was time to issue a notice to raise awareness about the flows and remind people that it is always a good idea to conserve water.”

The advisory is the first of three potential action levels in the plan, which was designed to guide conservation efforts during low-flow periods, typically from July 1 to Oct. 31. If flow levels fall below 15 cfs, the next threshold would call for more formal conservation measures.

The water system’s partners—including the Connecticut Water Company and the Town of Southbury—are working with the watershed coalition to raise public awareness and encourage voluntary water conservation.

Heritage Village system customers and private well users are advised to monitor their water use and consider efficiency measures. Conservation tips are available here, and updates on river flow status and action levels are posted at here.

The Connecticut Water Company provides service to more than 107,000 customers across 60 towns, including wastewater service to 3,000 customers in Southbury. The Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition works to protect the region’s water quality and availability through research, education, and community partnerships.