State declares Drought Watch; asks to lower water usage

Plants encroach in on the diminished Aspetuck Reservoir in Easton, Conn. as water levels have dropped due to drought conditions on Tuesday, September 27, 2016. Plants encroach in on the diminished Aspetuck Reservoir in Easton, Conn. as water levels have dropped due to drought conditions on Tuesday, September 27, 2016. Photo: Brian A. Pounds / Hearst Connecticut Media Buy photo Photo: Brian A. Pounds / Hearst Connecticut Media Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close State declares Drought Watch; asks to lower water usage 1 / 5 Back to Gallery

The state has, for the first time, declared a drought watch to encourage residents, businesses and local governments to voluntarily reduce their water use by 15 percent.

The watch applies to counties in western and central Connecticut, including Fairfield and New Haven counties.

Most of Connecticut remains under a severe drought, according to U.S. Drought Monitor.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said Thursday the watch was issued on the recommendation of the Connecticut Interagency Drought Work Group.

“After three years of precipitation shortfalls, we are moving to a drought watch, and it would be extremely helpful if residents could be mindful of their water consumption and take sensible steps to help stretch our water supply,” Malloy said.

Malloy has directed the state Department of Administrative Services to determine state government facilities can reduce use of water.

A week ago, eastern Connecticut had beneficial rainfall, with the towns of Moosup, Uncasville and Griswold getting between 2.91 and 2.27 inches. As a result, conditions there were upgraded from from severe to moderate drought.

The declaration of the watch came a day after areas of Connecticut received more than 2 inches of rain.

Most towns in southwestern Connecticut received an inch; Milford received 2.64 inches and Bridgeport, 1.91 inches. Last week, more progress in easing the drought was made when Stamford saw up to 0.68 of an inch on Friday. Other high rainfall totals include: Ridgefield with 0.57 of an inch; Bethel with 0.47 of an inch, New Cannan with 0.39 of an inch; Brookfield with 0.36 of an inch, Norwalk with 0.29 of an inch and Darien with 0.26 of an inch.

But the moderate rainfall in the last week will not end the state’s drought.

More Information Rainfall totals The amount of rain area cities and towns received on Thursday, when much of the state received moderate precipitation. Town Rain Milford 2.64 inches Bridgeport 1.91 inches Fairfield 1.77 inches Westport 1.56 inches Shelton 1.28 inches Monroe 0. 93 inch

Unlike a storm watch that is issued when hazardous weather is possible, a drought watch means the state is already experiencing moderate to severe drought conditions.

A decision to declare a Drought Watch is based on an assessment of indicator data monitored by state and federal agencies, including precipitation, stream flows, groundwater levels, reservoirs status, soil moisture, vegetation, and fire danger conditions.

This data is available to the public on the Interagency Drought Work Group’s website at ct.gov/waterstatus/cwp/view.asp?q=502292.

Paired with historically warm temperatures, precipitation in Connecticut ranged from 60 percent to 73 percent of normal conditions between June and September. Drinking water reservoirs have continued to decline, and average levels statewide were at less than 80 percent of normal as of the end of September, with some reservoirs less than half full.

“Residents and businesses served by public water suppliers are urged to follow any advice or requests from their supplier and municipalities, as conditions will vary across the state,” Malloy said in a release. “Residents and businesses supplied by groundwater wells should be aware of any local ordinances in place regarding water usage restrictions, and should conserve water to reduce the potential stress on their wells, neighboring wells, and on the environment.”

To date, 20 water companies have requested voluntary conservation or imposed mandatory restrictions. A continually updated list of these water companies is available on the Department of Public Health’s website.

In Danbury, the drought has plunged the city into a water supply crisis and forced Danbury to draw on emergency reserves from Lake Kenosia.

Under the 30-day emergency plan, Danbury’s Water Bureau is allowed to provide drinking water to Danbury, Bethel and Ridgefield from Lake Kenosia, but must follow state-imposed water conservation measures, among other restrictions, DPH Commissioner Dr. Raul Pino said in a release.

Danbury is the third public water system in a month to seek emergency assistance from the state due to drought-deleted water supplies.

On Oct. 20, Waterbury was granted emergency relief from the state.

On Sept. 29, Aquarion Water Co. was granted emergency relief to supplement its water supply to Greenwich, Stamford, Darien and New Canaan.