The Mayor’s Office and the Bristol Water Department announced today that the City’s reservoirs have declined to below 50 percent capacity from the lack of rain and that the Water Department has issued Mandatory Water Restrictions Prohibiting All Outside Uses effective immediately.
The Bristol Water Department in coordination with the Mayor’s office is now requiring all customers immediately stop all outside use of water including but not limited to the watering of lawns, use of underground irrigation systems, washing of cars and washing of houses. Water may be used to water flowers and gardens, but only with a garden hose or watering can. All other uses are strictly prohibited.
The restrictions do not apply to Commercial Car Washes who rely on the use of water to operate, however many already use recycled water in their operations.
Under the Bristol Water Department’s Rules and Regulations, the department may discontinue service if the Department deems that a customer is jeopardizing the safety and integrity of the water supply. Anyone found to be violating these mandatory water restrictions may be subject to having their water terminated and would be required to pay a Water Reinstatement fee.
“If water is terminated, it may remain off for a minimum 24 hours,” stated Robert Longo, superintendent for the Bristol Water Department, in a press release from the mayor’s office. Longo also stated “these restrictions apply to all customers and unfortunately any customer who has recently planted new grass must also stop all outside use. Due to the severity of the levels and no major precipitation in the forecast, we must conserve all the water we can.”
The city’s news release: “We hope all of our customers understand the severity of the drought has placed on water supplies not only in Bristol, but throughout the state and would like to thank our customers in advance for their cooperation.”
Anyone with questions on the restrictions or the city’s water supply can contact the Bristol Water Department at (860)582-7431. Information on the mandatory restrictions along with other ways to conserve water can also be found on the Bristol Water Department website at www.bristolwaterdept.org or on the Bristol Water Department and Mayor’s Office Facebook pages. Residents interested in receiving additional notices from the Water Department can sign up for email alerts at the bottom of the home page of the Bristol Water Department’s website.