Aquarion Water is asking people to “voluntarily” cut back, especially on outdoor irrigation.
In a
release, the utility said: “Large portions of Connecticut are currently experiencing conditions ranging from 'abnormally dry' to 'moderate drought' due to an extended dry spell, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.”
It also said that it is “experiencing near-record water demands throughout its service area and has hit its first drought trigger in Southwest Fairfield County.”
Western Connecticut hasn't seen significant rain in awhile. News 12 meteorologist Steve Teeling says the month of June has been 2 ½ inches below normal for rainfall.
“For the entire year, we are nearly 5 inches below average. So that's pretty significant,” he said.
There is currently an irrigation schedule in place for Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Newtown, Stamford and Westport.
Aquarion says people staying home due to the COVID-19 outbreak has also put lots of stress on the system even before the lack of rainfall.
"With more people at home, I think they're thinking about outdoor projects. They might be planting more shrubs,” said spokesman Peter Fazekas.
Four years ago, Aquarion built a temporary pipeline to keep Greenwich from going dry.
Mandatory water restrictions don't kick in until a Stage 3 drought trigger.