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The Source of Our Water
The Source of Our Water
Drinking water supplies come from surface water and groundwater. A watershed is the land area that drains to a surface water supply such as a stream, lake or reservoir. An aquifer area is where water is stored underground and provides water to a private or public well. Watersheds are the natural source of most of the nation's water supply.
Natural processes and human activities within a watershed or aquifer area can affect the quality of a community's water supply. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it can carry soil particles, oils, road salts, hydrocarbons, bacteria, viruses, fertilizers, pesticides and other potential contaminants that can impact the quality of our public and private drinking water supplies.
The First District Water Department serves over 41,000 people in the city of Norwalk as well as smaller areas in the towns of New Canaan, Wilton, and Westport, Connecticut. The principal water supply is preserved in four reservoirs over a 10 square mile watershed along the Silvermine River basin. This watershed extends from the town of Lewisboro, New York, and down through the towns of New Cannan, and Wilton into Norwalk, Connecticut.