Aquarion offers 4 variance programs for customers in towns participating in irrigation conservation:
In the participating towns (Darien, East Granby, Easton, Fairfield, Granby, Greenwich, Groton, Mystic, New Canaan, Newtown, Ridgefield, Simsbury, Stamford, Stonington, Trumbull, Weston, Westport and Wilton), licensed irrigation companies are aware of Aquarion’s Mandatory Twice-Weekly Irrigation Schedule and Irrigation Variance Programs and can help you decide which variance works best for you. The irrigation schedule is in effect from April 1 to October 31.
Customers can apply for a five-week variance for new plantings during spring and fall planting seasons. With an approved variance, customers can water outside of the mandatory irrigation schedule for five weeks before 10:00 am or after 6:00 pm to limit evaporation. Customer can apply for one additional two-week extension, if needed. Simply fill out the application again for the extension.
The New Planting Variance program was designed for the spring and fall planting seasons and allows you to water for 5-weeks on any day before 10am and after 6pm.
Applications accepted:
New Planting Variances are not accepted between June 16 to August 31 as this is the hottest time of the summer and it is difficult to establish new sod or plants.
Once a New Planting variance is granted, you have the option to apply for a two-week extension during the two open periods by resubmitting your application; however, when the program is closed, or when rainfall levels remain below normal levels and/or demands are high, no extensions will be granted.
In planning your new landscaping, we urge you to consider:
Customers who meet the following criteria may apply for the Large Property Variance:
Please keep in mind:
Once approved, a permit will be emailed to the applicant and the property can irrigate on any day before 10am and after 6pm. If for some reason, the property fails the on-site assessment, Aquarion will offer recommendations on how to improve the irrigation
system’s water efficiency to meet conservation guidelines.
Large Property Variance Form
This variance program is available from April 1 to October 31.
Customers who meet the following criteria may apply for the High-Efficiency Variance:
*Please check for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) WaterSense® Label to see if you have a weather-based irrigation controller before applying for this variance. More information is available here WaterSense® Weather-Based Controller List and here EPA Information on WaterSense® Weather-Based Irrigation Controllers.
Before receiving
the High-Efficiency Variance, customers must fulfill the following requirements:
Once the High-Efficiency Variance has been approved, a permit will be emailed to the applicant and the property can water outside the mandatory irrigation schedule in weather-based mode.
Please keep in mind:
High-Efficiency Variance Form
This variance program is available from April 1 to October 31.
Our irrigation evaluation form is available as an online form and a pdf. The form must be completed before an on-site appointment can be made with the Aquarion Variance Assessor. Please see the Large Property and High-Efficiency section for further details.