UConn Issues Water Supply Watch

Because of continuing dry conditions, the University has introduced mandatory as well as voluntary water conservation measures.

Detail of a modern faucet head.

Detail of a modern faucet head.

Because seasonally dry conditions have reduced area stream flows, the University has issued a Water Supply Watch that includes mandatory as well as voluntary water conservation measures. University officials are requesting cooperation in conserving water until further notice.

A water conservation alert was issued in late July and a water supply advisory was issued in late August, asking all water system users to voluntarily conserve water. They resulted from triggers in the University’s protocols to reduce consumption during dry weather conditions, based on environmental factors.

UConn’s water supply remains adequate to meet current and forecasted system demands, as well as any emergency needs such as firefighting.

As stated in the University’s Water Supply Plan, UConn is committed to operating an environmentally sustainable water supply system. Given current stream-flow conditions and rainfall forecast, officials are asking students, faculty, staff, and off-campus municipal, commercial, and residential users to be conscientious about their daily water use, and to conserve water.

The following mandatory conservation measures are effective immediately:

  • Lawn watering for all University and non-University users is limited to four hours or less per day and only between the hours of 5-9 a.m. and 7-9 p.m. Athletic fields will be allowed up to two hours of water per day during the same hours;
  • Filling of public or private pools must be provided via water delivered from another source;
  • Washing of motor vehicles is banned. The University’s wash bay will be closed until further notice;
  • The use of ornamental or display fountains is banned;
  • The use of water for washing and wetting down streets, sidewalks, driveways, or parking areas is banned, unless required by the local public health authority;
  • The use of UConn water for dust control at construction sites is banned;
  • Contractors are required to provide water for dust control from off site;
  • The use of hydrant sprinkler caps is banned;
  • Water main flushing will only be used to address water quality issues.

The following voluntary conservation measures remain in effect:

  • Take shorter showers;
  • Run dishwashers and washing machines with full loads;
  • Shut off water while washing dishes, shaving, brushing teeth, and lathering up to wash hands, rather than running the water continuously;
  • Avoid power-washing buildings and washing vehicles with public water;
  • Raise the thermostat in UConn buildings, particularly when leaving at night;
  • Immediately report leaky fixtures in UConn buildings to Facilities Operations at 860-486-3113.

The University is actively monitoring conditions, and will continue to provide updates as conditions change.