SOUTHINGTON, Conn. (WTIC Radio)—With the summer heat on us, the Southington Water Department is asking residents to limit their use of water outdoors in an effort to conserve the town's water supply for the season.
The measure, which was put in place on Monday, is a precautionary one, Water Department Assistant Superintendent Albert Fiorillo said.
As the summer days get hotter and there's less rainfall, Fiorillo explained that the demand will rise and can put a strain on the supply system. As has happened in years past, he said the voluntary restriction request may become a mandatory one.
"It's not a supply problem. It's a demand problem," he said, "We have the water right now, but we feel if we start the restrictions, whether it's voluntary or mandatory, earlier in the season, it puts us in a much better position in August and September when reservoir levels drop."
The department doesn't typically see a reduction in water use with the voluntary call, he said, but being proactive can help conserve water supply before the need for a mandatory restriction.
Water use has become a challenge in a town with a growing population in commercial, industrial and mostly residential sectors, Fiorillo said.
"That's what comes with a growing town is additional water use and most of that is from irrigation," he said.
Currently, the department is asking residents to adhere to the Odd/Even watering system. This means residents at odd street numbers would use water outdoors on odd days of the month and residents at even street numbers would use water outdoors on even days, Fiorillo explained.
The system applies to irrigation, car washing, flower watering and other non-essential outdoor uses.
Besides cutting down on water use outside, Fiorillo said residents can take shorter showers and shut off the water when brushing their teeth to help conserve water.
More information on how to conserve water can be found at the department's website.
