Aquarion Water Company Triggers First Drought Warning for Eastern Fairfield County

Aquarion Water Company announced Monday that Eastern Fairfield County has reached its first drought trigger of the year, prompting the utility to ask customers across 13 towns to voluntarily conserve water.

The water company reported a rainfall deficit of more than 13 inches over the past year, according to the announcement. The system currently operates at 65% of total capacity, creating concerns about water availability heading into the spring and summer months.

“It is important for all of our customers to assist in this effort, to help ensure our Eastern Fairfield County system recovers for spring and summer,” said Lucy Teixeira, Aquarion President.

The drought trigger affects residents in Bethel, Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Newtown, Redding, Shelton, Stratford, Trumbull, Weston, Westport, and Wilton, according to the company.

Despite recent snowfall across the region, Aquarion said the state needs substantially more precipitation to offset the ongoing water deficit. The company emphasized that current weather conditions have not provided enough relief to restore normal water levels.

To address the shortage, Aquarion issued specific conservation recommendations for residents. The company advised customers to take shorter showers, run dishwashers only with full loads, and turn off taps when not actively in use. The utility also urged residents to regularly check for and repair leaks in faucets, toilets, and pipes.

The drought trigger will also expand irrigation restrictions across the affected area. Aquarion announced that Eastern Fairfield County towns not already operating under a twice-a-week irrigation schedule will be added to the program.

The water conservation request comes as Connecticut continues to experience below-normal precipitation levels that have persisted throughout the past year. The 13-inch rainfall deficit represents a significant shortfall that has steadily reduced water system capacity across the region.

Eastern Fairfield County’s water supply challenges reflect broader drought conditions affecting parts of Connecticut. The voluntary conservation measures aim to prevent more severe restrictions that could become necessary if water levels continue to decline.

Aquarion’s drought trigger system serves as an early warning mechanism to help manage water resources before reaching critical shortage levels. The company monitors precipitation, reservoir levels, and system capacity to determine when conservation measures become necessary.

The affected communities represent some of Connecticut’s most populous areas, including major cities like Bridgeport and suburban towns throughout Fairfield County. The region’s water demand typically increases during warmer months as residents use more water for landscaping and outdoor activities.

Water conservation efforts in these 13 towns could help stabilize the system’s capacity and reduce strain on existing supplies. The company’s emphasis on leak detection and repair addresses a common source of water waste that can significantly impact overall system efficiency.

Residents can monitor their water usage and implement the recommended conservation practices while Aquarion continues to assess precipitation levels and system recovery. The company has not announced any timeline for lifting the drought trigger, indicating that conservation measures may remain in place until substantial rainfall improves water supply conditions.

The drought warning represents the first such trigger for Eastern Fairfield County this year, though the underlying precipitation deficit has been building over the past 12 months according to Aquarion’s data.