Effective immediately, the City of Northampton Department of Public Works (DPW) is implementing a water use restriction for users of the Northampton Public Water Supply. Limiting water use, especially non-essential outdoor water use, is needed to ensure a sustainable water supply and to protect stream flow for aquatic life. Between the hours of 9am – 5pm no nonessential water use is allowed.
Nonessential water use includes:
- Irrigation of lawns and watering of gardens, flowers, and ornamental plants by means of sprinklers or other mechanical means.
- Watering by means of handheld hose is permissible between the hours of 9am and 5pm.
- Washing of vehicles, other than by commercial car wash.
- Washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways or sidewalks.
- Except as needed to apply paint, preservatives, stucco, pavement or cement.
From 5pm until 9am unrestricted outdoor water use is allowed.
The City’s water supply system is regulated by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). DEP requires that water restrictions be implemented when stream-flow in the Mill River drops below a certain quantity of flow (26.3 cubic feet per second) for a 3-day period, and/or when the DEP Drought Task Force declares Drought Advisory Level 1 or higher and/or between May 1 and September 30 as a calendar trigger. At this time, the calendar has triggered a water restriction. The City will notify the public when the water restriction is lifted. Please visit the DPW website at www.northamptonma.gov/dpw for water conservation tips.
Any person found violating these water restrictions is subject to the fines established in Chapter 325 and Chapter 40 of the City Ordinances. These fines are $100 for the first violation and $200 for the second and subsequent violations.
DONNA LASCALEIA
DIRECTOR
