Aquarion: Mandatory Sprinkler Schedule as Drought Conditions Continue through October
Over the last thirty days, Connecticut has experienced lower than normal rainfall, with rain amounts totaling an estimated one inch, compared to four inches of rain which would typically fall in this time period. Lower rainfall, combined with high water demand, has led the State of Connecticut's lnteragency Drought Working Group to declare that all eight counties in the state are experiencing Stage 2 Drought conditions. These conditions can lead to a drought event and can impact water supplies, agriculture, and the environment. In light of these conditions, Aquarion is reminding its customers about the importance of water conservation.
Currently, Aquarion customers living in 13 towns are under a mandatory, twice-weekly irrigation schedule until October 31. Aquarion customers in the Fairfield County towns of Darien, Fairfield, Greenwich, New Canaan, Newtown, Stamford and Westport; the Hartford County towns of East Granby, Granby, and Simsbury; and the New London County towns of Groton, Mystic, and Stonington should continue following the mandatory, twice-weekly sprinkler irrigation schedule.
Mandatory, Twice-Weekly Sprinkler Irrigation Schedule in Darien, East Granby, Fairfield, Granby, Greenwich, Groton, Mystic, New Canaan, Newtown, Simsbury, Stamford, Stonington, and Westport
Aquarion also encourages customers that live outside of these 13 towns to voluntarily follow this schedule as an easy way to conserve water.
“As a precaution, we’re asking for our customers’ participation as we work to conserve water,” said Donald Morrissey, Aquarion President. “Our reservoir levels are currently sufficient, and we’re hopeful that rain amounts will soon return to normal. With our customers’ support, we are better able to mitigate the impacts of the current drought conditions.”
In order to use water more efficiently, Aquarion is encouraging customers to take the following actions:
Outdoor water conservation measures
Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. A taller lawn provides shade to the roots and helps retain soil moisture, so your lawn requires less water.
Reduce your sprinkler setting to our two days per week schedule. The grass roots will grow deeper and make your grass more drought tolerant.
Adjust your sprinklers so that they're watering your lawn and garden, and not the street or sidewalk.
Use hand watering or drip irrigation for shrubs and flowers.
Delay new plantings until the fall.
Inspect your overall irrigation system for leaks, broken lines or blockage in the lines. A well-maintained system will save you money, water, and time.
Indoor water conservation measures
Turn off the water while lathering up, shaving, or brushing your teeth.
Minimize baths and the amount of water you use for each. Trim one minute off the length of your showers.
Wash only full loads in your dishwasher and washing machine.
Hand wash dishes in a pan or the sink, not under continuous running water.
Reuse dehumidifier water or use a bucket to capture shower and bath water while you wait for it to warm up; then use the water to water your plants.
Visit www.aquarionwater.com/conserve for additional water conservation tips.
Westport Domestic Violence Task Force Seeking School Supply Donations for local Safe Houses
From Tuesday, July 19th through Tuesday, July 26th, the Westport Domestic Violence Task Force (WDVTF) will be collecting back-to-school supplies for residents of the two Domestic Violence Crisis Center (DVCC) safe houses and community clients.
The Domestic Violence Crisis Center (DVCC) supports individuals on their journey to safety. DVCC advocates for individuals who are experiencing abuse in personal relationships. It offers multiple services and professional staff to help those experiencing any level of domestic violence and assist them in building a safer environment for the well-being of themselves and their families. All victim services are free and confidential, and all services offered are multicultural/multilingual. These services include assistance with basic needs such as food, clothing, and personal items. Counseling and legal services are also introduced in addition to transportation assistance, children’s advocacy, weekly play-based children’s programming focused on self-esteem and healthy communication and referrals to community resources. The DVCC also provides economic advocacy, including budget development and assistance with job searches and resumes.
The DVCC safe house and community clients are in need of the following items to ensure the children are prepared for the new school year:
New Backpacks
Notebooks
Pens/Pencils/Highlighters/Crayons
New and Unused Lunch Boxes
Graphing Calculators
Donations can be left in the collection bin located in the lobby of the Westport Police Department, 50 Jesup Road, Westport between July 19th and 26th.
If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, help can be reached via the 24 hour hotline, 1-888-774-2900 and additional information can be found on the DVCC website, www.dvccct.org
For more information on Westport Domestic Violence Task Force initiatives, please check out our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/Westport-Domestic-Violence-Task-Force-1550811978272839/.
Morning Weather Report
Today
A slight chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tonight
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Patchy fog after 2am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tomorrow
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. South wind 5 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tomorrow Night
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 2am. Cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
High Tides
2:29 AM / 3:02 PM
Low Tides
8:54 AM / 9:20 PM
Anthony “Tony” Giunta Jr., 77, Died; Westport Police Sergeant Ret., Army Veteran, Staples Class of ‘64
Anthony P. Giunta, Jr. "Tony," age 77, of Westport, Connecticut, son of Anthony P. Giunta Sr. and Maria Rose Giunta, was born March 2, 1945 and died on Saturday, July 9, 2022. He was married in 1972 to his loving wife and life partner of 49 years, Frances.
Tony was a life-long resident of Westport, graduating from Staples High School in 1964. He went on to New England College, graduating in 1969 with a BA in English. In 1975 he received his Masters of Science Degree in Law Enforcement from the University of New Haven.
Tony lived a life dedicated to his family and to the service of others. Tony loved God, his family and his country.
In the U.S. Army, he reached the rank of E-5 and left the service with an Honorable Discharge. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion.
Tony joined the Westport Police Department as a Patrolman in 1971 and retired as a Sergeant in 2006. He served as the PBA President for two years and the Community Outreach Program Chairman from (1997-2005).
In 1982 he joined the Kiwanis Club of Westport and became President in 1984. Tony started the Staples High School Kiwanis Key Club in 1985 and became its advisor through 2021.
Tony joined Boy Scouts of America in 1989 as an adult leader in Troop 39. Within scouting he held many leadership roles including Scoutmaster and Eagle Scout Coordinator and received many awards including Silver Beaver Award from the CT Yankee Council and through Masonic Scouters, the Daniel Carter Beard Award in 2011.
Tony served on the committees of the American Red Cross and the Westport-Weston YMCA.
In 1996 he was selected as an Olympic Torch Relay Runner in Westport in recognition of being a Westport Community Hero.
In 2007 he joined Temple Lodge #65 in Westport and became Worshipful Master in 2014.
As a kidney transplant recipient in 2011, Tony inherently understood the gift of life. He became a supporter of Donate Life, an organization to encourage organ donation. He cared deeply about the program.
Besides his wife, Tony is survived by his daughter Kirsten, her husband Devon Middleditch and their daughter Maria, his son David and partner Elizabeth, his sister Carol Axley and her husband Michael as well as many other close relatives.
Calling hours for family and friends will be held on Friday, July 22 between 4pm and 8pm at the Harding Funeral Home, 210 Post Road East. A Funeral Mass will be on Saturday, July 23 at 10am at St. Luke's Church, 49 Turkey Hill Road North, Westport, CT. Interment will follow at Willowbrook Cemetery, 395 Main Street.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the National Kidney Foundation, American Heart Association or Donate Life America.