Mandatory, non-essential outdoor water use ban for Newtown and Bethel
Non-essential outdoor water use restrictions in effect
Since the August 2024 rainstorm and flooding, Aquarion's primary water supply for its Newtown and Bethel system has remained offline. The collapsed railroad bridge downstream of our Newtown wells continues to create ponded water in our wellfield, prohibiting its use. Aquarion stands ready to repair and reactivate it's wells once the Housatonic Railroad restores the river's stream flow.
To ensure an adequate water supply for daily use and fire flow, non-essential outdoor water use restrictions are in effect. These restrictions are subject to change. Variances will not be offered under these restrictions.
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, 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)
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
- Professional washing of exterior building surfaces, decks, sidewalks, parking lots and driveways as needed to apply coatings
- Washing of boats to prevent saltwater impacts and the transfer or invasive species
- Hand-held watering or drip irrigation of residential gardens and ornamental plantings