Newsroom

Eastern Fairfield County System reaches first drought trigger

Bridgeport, CONN. – March 2, 2026 – With a deficit of more than 13 inches of rainfall over the past year, Aquarion’s Eastern Fairfield County System has reached its first drought trigger at 65% of total capacity.  As a result, Aquarion Water Company is asking customers in the following towns to voluntarily conserve water to help the system recover:

Bethel, Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Newtown, Redding, Shelton, Stratford, Trumbull, Weston, Westport, and Wilton.

Connecticut is currently experiencing conditions ranging from “abnormally dry” to “moderate drought” due to an extended dry spell. Although recent snowfalls provide some relief, substantially more precipitation is needed to offset the ongoing deficit. As a reference point, ten inches of snow equals approximately one inch of rain.

“Due to current drought conditions, Aquarion is advising customers to voluntarily reduce their water use,” said Lucy Teixeira, Aquarion President. “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.”

Six Simple Ways to Conserve Water

• Fix Leaks Promptly: Even small leaks can waste a significant amount of water. Regularly check for and repair leaks in faucets, toilets, and pipes.

• Install Water-Efficient Fixtures: Choose WaterSense-labeled fixtures, such as low- flow showerheads and faucets. These can significantly reduce water usage without sacrificing performance.

• Take Shorter Showers: Cutting your shower time by just a few minutes can save hundreds of gallons of water per month.

• Run Full Loads: Use your dishwasher and washing machine only with full loads. This maximizes water use per cycle.

• Turn Off the Tap: When brushing your teeth, shaving, or washing dishes by hand, turn off the tap to avoid unnecessary water waste.

• Hold off on new landscaping projects until the fall.

For additional conservation tips and information, visit www.aquarionwater.com/conserve.

Additionally, Aquarion will be introducing its twice-weekly irrigation schedule to Eastern Fairfield County towns not already in the program. The irrigation schedule is designed to prevent overwatering while meeting the needs of the vast majority of landscapes and is credited with saving hundreds of millions of gallons of water each year. The irrigation schedule is an important part of Aquarion’s plan to reduce the impact on reservoirs during the warmer months when demand is at its peak. To learn more, visit www.aquarionwatercom/watering. 

View by state