PUBLIC NOTICE
Mild Level 1 Drought Conditions Declared
October 18, 2024
On October 18, 2024, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental affairs (EEA) issued a Level 1-Mild Drought Declaration for the Central Region of Massachusetts. As recommended by EEA, the Town is following the guidance and response actions in the Massachusetts Drought Plan and instituting a MANDATORY non-essential water use restriction as required by our MassDEP Water Management Act Registration.
These mandatory water restrictions are for daily "non-essential" water use from public water sources and shall be in effect until the drought is lifted by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.
Non-essential outdoor water uses that are subject to mandatory restrictions include:
- Minimize overall water use;
- Limit outdoor watering to one day per week from 5:00PM to 9:00AM, or less frequently if required by your water supplier;
- Plant only local and drought-resistant species;
- Fix indoor leaks, such as from toilets, faucets, and showers, which result in more than 60 percent of indoor use;
- For larger buildings and businesses, conduct water audits to identify areas of leaks and potential water conservation opportunities;
- Minimize lawn sizes; and,
- Harvest rainwater for outdoor watering.
When you CAN use water outdoors:
The following “essential uses” as defined by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) may be allowed, before 9:00am and after 5:00pm, when mandatory restrictions are in place:
- for health or safety reasons
- irrigation of public parks and recreation fields by means of automatic sprinklers;
- by regulation;
- for the production of food and fiber
- irrigation of gardens, flowers and ornamental plants by means of a hand-held hose or drip irrigation system; and irrigation of lawns by means of a hand-held hose;
- for the maintenance of livestock; or
- to meet the core functions of a business.
Nonessential uses are those other than essential uses.
Enforcement will include:
- Written warning of first offense;
- $50 fine for second offense;
- $100 fine for each subsequent offense;
- Each day of violation constitutes a separate offense.
