DROUGHT STATUS – LEVEL 2 SIGNIFICANT DROUGHT

TOWN OF MERRIMAC WATER DEPARTMENT

PUBLIC NOTICE

EFFECTIVE May 15th, 2026

LEVEL 2 SIGNIFICANT DROUGHT CONDITIONS –MANDATORY RESTRICTIONS ON NON-ESSENTIAL WATER USE:

Under the Level 2 Water Use Restriction:

Our Water Management Act permit defines the following:

• YES: Watering ornamentals and flower gardens with drip irrigation, hand hold hose or watering cans, and irrigation may be permitted during non-peak hours (after 5 pm and before 9 am)
• Minimize overall water use – be mindful of wasting water
• Fix indoor leaks from toilets, showers, and indoor/outdoor faucets
• NO: irrigation of lawns via sprinkler or automatic irrigation systems
• NO: filling of swimming pools
• NO: washing of vehicles, except in a commercial car wash or as necessary for operator safety
• NO: 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