Water Policy

The City Water Department has told us that a slowly dripping faucet can waste 15 to 20 gallons of water per day. If that is true, then there are several habits that residents have become accustomed to that certainly impact on these water costs in much more substantial ways.

We need to be very aware of the costs associated with dripping faucets, and report them immediately to the maintenance staff for repair. Also listen to your toilets to hear if water is running because the flushing mechanism is getting old and worn. If it is, report it. When washing our cars, is there really a need to leave the hose running in the parking lot while we suds the car down? An investment in a spray attachment for our hoses with a shut-off can save a lot of wasted water. In the summer, how many of us have seen children filling up their wading pools, only to get distracted, run off to the swing set or the neighbors, meanwhile letting the water run and run and run ...

Stratford’s water usage isnot exorbitant, by any means. That doesn’t mean, however, that we can’t still find ways to be more careful, more considerate, and more conservative in our water usage.

Based on suggestions by the members and consideration by the Board, the Board has decided to impose some water restrictions on water use during the summer months (from June through September) in the period that may be best described as “the heat of the day.”

1. Vehicle washing and watering of garden spaces or flower beds, etc. is banned between the hours of 11 A.M. and 5 P.M. This should leave sufficient time for anyone wanting to wash their vehicle to do so without doing it during the hottest part of the day (when it’s actually not good to wash your car or water plants.)

2. Leaving water on and running in the parking lots or on the grounds is banned at all times. If you are washing your car, a simple spray valve at the end of the hose that permits the water to be stopped between spraying or rinsing should be used. If you are filling a wading pool, then the hose should be shut off when the pool is filled, rather than to let it run over.

3. Children are not to be allowed to use hoses, water, or faucet handles without an adult in attendance at all times. This does not mean an adult is inside the house keeping an occasional eye on what is happening outside. It does mean that while the hose is running, an adult must be outside hear the running hose! This is particularly pertinent when the kids want to use their “water slide.” The Board expects that an adult will stay outside with the kids and the water slide until they are finished playing with it, and then turn the water off.

Each unit is given an outside faucet handle at the time of moving in. This faucet handle is to be used to turn the outside faucet on and off. Pliers or other instruments are not to be used as this causes damage to the faucet. If anyone is found using anything to turn the faucet on and off besides the correct faucet handle, they will be held responsible for replacement or repair of the faucet unit. If the outside faucet is at your townhouse, please share in the responsibility, when possible, of making sure that anyone who uses that outside faucet is using it correctly.

4. The Board has imposed a charge of $15.00 for violation of the above provisions. This charge is meant as liquidated damages in order to offset the costs incurred by excessive water use, and will be imposed upon receipt by the office of a complaint from any member or staff person.

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