Massive New Emergency Pipeline Seeks To Remedy Drought In Connecticut

STAMFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork) -- People living across a 2 1/2-mile stretch of Connecticut countryside have a new neighbor.

As CBS2's Lou Young reported Monday evening, that neighbor is a pipeline that has suddenly appeared along property lines.

The view from Drone Force 2 stalked traced the route of the black pipeline in North Stamford. The pipeline appeared just before Thanksgiving along the Merritt Parkway and onto woody Connecticut lanes.

"They just put it in; they didn't ask permission," said Walter Brillo of Stamford. "I mean, I guess it's an eminent domain type of thing, right?"

Indeed it is. The state ordered the Aquarion Water Company to link up its reservoirs in a deepening drought.

The pipeline runs to a dusty, depleted reservoir that serves the urban core of Stamford from reservoirs further north that are in better shape.

"It's not the greatest thing in the world to look at. It's not the best in the world. But unfortunately, look at the reservoir," said Vinny Schiro of Stamford. "I mean, what do you want to have -- no water?"

The pipeline is smooth to the touch and obviously made out of plastic. In person, it gives the impression of a massive garden hose than a pipeline.

A sound is heard coming from a blue valve nearby, bleeding off air pressure to make sure the pipeline can do what it's supposed to do.

CBS2 reported on the larger problem of reservoirs drying up in the area in September, and the problem has not gotten any better since. Communities served by the Aquarion and SUEZ water systems are banding together.

"Water's being transferred from Stamford toward Greenwich, and water's being transferred from Greenwich to the SUEZ system, which is Port Chester, Westchester County," said Stamford Mayor David Martin. "Yes, we're borrowing water, but we're kind of transferring down the line to those most in need."

Still, the pipeline is quite a sight.

"It's ugly, yes," said Catherine Sheehan of Stamford. "My flowers are going to be covered up and everything else."

The mayor insists the pipeline is temporary, and he expects it to be buried where it is or moved. As to how long, he suggested it will be less than 18 months.

The Aquarion Water Company said it built the emergency pipeline in about three weeks, and said burying it would have taken years.