Author: Water Department

MANDATORY WATER BAN IN EFFECT

PUBLIC NOTICE

EFFECTIVE May 26th, 2026

LEVEL 3 CRITICAL DROUGHT CONDITIONS

Mandatory Restrictions on Non-Essential Water Use

Under the Level 3 Water Use Restriction:

Our Water Management Act permit defines the following:

Nonessential outdoor water uses that are subject to mandatory restrictions include:

  • irrigation of lawns via sprinkler or automatic irrigation systems;
  • filling of swimming pools;
  • washing of vehicles, except in a commercial car wash or as necessary for operator safety; and
  • washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways or sidewalks except as necessary to apply surface treatment such as paint, preservatives, stucco, cement or pavement. 
  • No establishing new lawns regardless of the time of year until ban is removed.

Water uses NOT subject to mandatory restrictions are those required:

  • for health or safety reasons;
  • by regulation;
  • for production of food and fiber;
  • for the maintenance of livestock; or
  •  to meet the core functions of a business (for example, irrigation of a golf course as necessary to maintain tees, greens, and limited fairway watering, or irrigation by a plant nursery to maintain stock).

This conservation measure will be strictly enforced. Violators will be issued a written warning for the first offense. A second offense will be fined $50.00 and $100 for each subsequent offense.

Please call the office with any questions or concerns…978-346-8407

private well

AMMENDED WATER USE BY-LAW

At Fall Town Meeting October 2024 a by-law was passed to have the following amended:

Any person with a privately-owned well should be aware that it is likely the well has the same or a similar water source as the Public Water System. This means that it is important for persons with privately-owned wells to also be efficient and mindful when it comes to water use. Any water conservation measures recommend for the customers to follow would be extra beneficial to the water supply, if persons who have privately-owned wells considered following the recommendations as well. This is extra important during times of drought.

The Attorney General has certified this to now be part of the Town’s General By-Laws. Article XVIII, Water Use.