Aquarion Water Company announced that the sprinkler irrigation schedule is in effect until Oct. 31. The program is mandatory for Granby, East Granby and Simsbury customers.
The schedule helps conserve water supplies by reducing overwatering of lawns and gardens through a maximum of two days per week. Since its launch, the sprinkler irrigation schedule has helped save approximately five billion gallons of water, which has helped towns avoid a complete ban on outdoor water use during dry summer months.
Homes and businesses with automatic sprinkler irrigation systems often use large volumes of water —about 40 percent more than properties without the systems. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), up to half the water used outdoors can be lost through overwatering, leaks and evaporation. This waste, in turn, strains local water supplies while providing no benefit to lawns and gardens. Research shows that lawns and gardens can thrive on reduced watering. By encouraging roots to grow deeper into the soil, they can absorb more moisture and nutrients, even during dry spells. Drip irrigation, soaker hoses and hand-held watering are allowed anytime.
The twice-weekly irrigation schedule is in effect until Oct. 31 as below:
Customers with an even number as the last digit of an address (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) may water only on Sundays and Wednesdays between 12:01 and 10 a.m. OR between 6 p.m. and midnight.
Customers with an odd number as the last digit of an address (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) may water only on Saturdays and Tuesdays between 12:01 and 10 a.m. OR between 6 p.m. and midnight.
Customers with no numbers in a street address may water only on Sundays and Wednesdays between 12:01 and 10 a.m. OR between 6 p.m. and midnight.
Some residents may qualify for a variance from the schedule. If customers, for example, have installed new plantings or sod in the spring, they would be allowed to water more frequently to help get plants established.
More information about the irrigation schedule, landscaping and gardening with less water is available at aquarionwater.com/watering