A 30-day public water supply emergency has been declared by the state for the City of Danbury.  This follows an order locally for residents to conserve water.  At that time reservoir levels were at 66% of full capacity, which is approximately 11% below normal for this time of year. 

The City's Public Utilities Department says water supply reservoirs are approaching critically low levels. 

The state Department of Public Health declaration is valid for 30 days, but the City can apply for additional 30 day extensions, up to a maximum of 150 days.  The order means that Danbury can tap Lake Kenosia to bolster the water supply. 

Danbury also provides water to certain portions of Bethel and Ridgefield.

The current drought conditions are taxing many of the state’s reservoirs and forcing public water systems to ask for an emergency declaration to protect their supplies. This is the third such order.