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BRIDGEPORT, CT (March 26, 2025) – Aquarion Water Company today announced a mandatory ban on non-essential outdoor water use for customers in Bethel and Newtown. This measure is being taken as the company continues to utilize its interconnection with the Eastern Fairfield County system while its primary source of water supply, the Newtown wellfield, remains offline.  

Last August, Aquarion’s Newtown wellfield sustained severe damage from a rainstorm and flooding, resulting in it being taken offline. The collapse of a railroad structure downstream of the wells continues to block the normal flow of the Pootatuck River. The wellfield remains non-functional and will be out of service until the Housatonic Railroad removes all remaining debris and restores the stream flow for the river. Once the river restoration project is complete and there is adequate separation from Aquarion’s wells, the company can complete its wellfield repairs. 

“Our top priority is to bring our primary water source for Newtown and Bethel back online. We are staying in close contact with the property owner regarding the river restoration project so we can complete repairs to our wellfield as quickly and safely as possible,” said Lucy Teixeira, President of Aquarion. “It is crucial that our customers in Newtown and Bethel limit water use to essential needs until the full water supply capacity is restored. We greatly appreciate your patience as this restoration project continues.”

The outdoor water uses listed below are considered non-essential and are currently not permitted. These mandatory restrictions are in place to conserve water and ensure that the limited supply is used for essential needs. This restriction will remain in effect through 2025, or until the Pootatuck River flow is no longer impeded.

Prohibited outdoor water uses include:

• Lawn watering by irrigation system or hose-end sprinkler
• Car washing, except for commercial car washes
• Washing of exterior building surfaces, such as decks, sidewalks, parking lots, and driveways, except as needed to apply coatings
• Filling of swimming pools (Permitted to use trucked pool water service that doesn't utilize this system's water)

The outdoor water uses below are considered essential and are permitted. Aquarion may issue further water use restrictions if required. 

Permitted outdoor water uses include:

• Irrigation to meet a core commercial function. Sprinkler irrigation must be completed between 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
• Golf course greens and tees, and limited watering of fairways and roughs. Gardens, flowers, and ornamental plants must be watered using drip irrigation or hand-held methods
• Wedding and special event venues. Gardens, flowers, and ornamental plants must be watered using drip irrigation or hand-held methods
• Commercial nurseries and farms
• Athletic fields
• Professional washing of exterior surfaces as needed to apply coatings
• Washing of boats to prevent the impacts of saltwater and the transfer of invasive species
• Hand-held watering or drip irrigation of residential gardens and ornamental plantings

If you have questions about these mandatory, non-essential outdoor water use restrictions or your water usage, please contact our customer service center at 1-800-732-9678 or visit www.aquarionwater.com/newtown-bethel-update. 

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