Milford Water Company Strengthens Outdoor Watering Restrictions

The Milford Water Company has strengthened outdoor watering restrictions, advising customers that they may only water outdoor plantings using a hand-held hose.

The watering restriction means that customers can only water outdoors between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., when water is less likely to evaporate. And customers can only water with hand-held devices, for no more than an hour.

The Stage III restrictions do not apply to people who water with wells.

The restrictions take effect Tuesday and will remain in effect until further notice.

David Condrey, general manager of the ., cited the recent heat wave and lack of precipitation.

"We all appreciated the lack of snow this winter, but the downside is the effect on water supplies everywhere," Condrey wrote. "The average precipitation for our area from January through June is [approximately] 21 inches. As of June 28, we have only had about 17.5 inches of precipitation in 2012, which is roughly 20 percent less than average. While we’ve had a few rainy during the past couple of months, it hasn’t been enough to have a significant effect on water supply."

According to the company notice, exceptions will be made on a case by case basis.