By Rob Katz
As Connecticut’s first summer out of a drought continues, Greenwich’s reservoirs remain at healthy levels.
The Aquarion Water Co. listed Greenwich’s reservoir status at 90.4 percent full as of July 17, about 15 percent higher than the system’s levels on that day in 2016.
“Aquarion continues to monitor reservoir levels closely. Although we did have a wet June, total rainfall in Greenwich and Stamford still fell below normal levels,” Peter Fazekas, Aquarion’s director of public relations, said in a statement to the Sentinel.
Greenwich’s total rainfall in June reached three inches, still below the town’s ten-year average of 5.2 inches for June rainfall, according to Aquarion’s website.
The state’s groundwater levels, as monitored by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), remain lower than their historical average as well.
Denise Savageau, the director of the Greenwich Conservation Commission, has described groundwater levels and streamflow as indicators of the state’s, as well as Greenwich’s, long-term water supply and environmental health.
Rippowam River, in Stamford, had an average flow of 21.5 cubic feet per second during June, significantly lower than its recorded average flow of 43 cubic feet per second in the month of June since 1977. As of July 25, Rippowam River has averaged streamflow levels of 12.5 cubic feet per second throughout this month, below the recorded historical average of 15 cubic feet per second since 1977.
Fazekas noted that Aquarion will continue to restrict lawn sprinkling in Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan and Stamford for the foreseeable future. Fazekas explained earlier this month that the regulation was put in place “to ensure that we do not hit a drought trigger this year.”
“By using water wisely, we can all help ensure an adequate water supply for human consumption and fire protection,” Fazekas said this week in his statement.
The Connecticut Interagency Drought Workgroup, which monitors the state’s water status, lifted a statewide Drought Advisory notice on June 14. As a result, the state has escaped the lowest of the Connecticut Drought Preparedness and Response Plan’s four stages of drought awareness.
Additional information regarding maintaining healthy lawns and gardens, Fazekas said, is available on Aquarions’ website at Aquarionwater.com/watering
