Use Restrictions

West Boylston Drought Management Plan

In 2002, the Water District adopted a Drought Management Plan which details responses to a variety of levels of water supply shortages.  It may be implemented to conserve the water supply when it is stressed by drought or to replenish water supplies that have been diminished by peak demand in non-drought years.

Mandatory Outdoor Water User Restrictions

Effective May 15, 2006

• Addresses ending in an even number may use water outdoors on even calendar days.
• Addresses ending in an odd number may use water outdoors on odd numbered days.
• No outdoor water use on Mondays to allow the system to replenish.
• No lawn watering between 7am and 7 pm.

The Water District recognizes the inconvenience this restrictive measure places on our customers.  The conservation of water is very important and will require every customer's participation to protect our supplies.  Thank you for your assistance and support.

Graduated Drought Restriction Measures

Drought Advisory

• Voluntary conservation on an alternate day schedule for outdoor water uses: irrigation of lawns and gardens, car washing and sprinklers.
• No swimming pool filling from the municipal water supply.

Drought Watch

• Mandatory conservation on an alternate day schedule for outdoor water uses: irrigation of lawns and gardens, car washing and sprinklers.
• Use of sprinklers is limited to 2 hours per each scheduled watering day.
• No swimming pool filling from the municipal water supply.

Drought Warning

• Mandatory conservation on an alternate day schedule for outdoor water use.
• No watering of lawn and no outdoor sprinklers allowed.
• Manual watering of gardens and trees with hose or watering can allowed.
• Car washing allowed.

Drought Emergency

• Mandatory ban on all outdoor use: sprinklers, car washing, swimming pool filling and lawn and gardening irrigation.

Residents may request waivers from these restrictions under special circumstances.

Water Use Restriction Bylaw

The West Boylston Water District adopted the Water Use Restriction Bylaw to provide for enforcement of duly imposed restrictions, requirements, provisions or conditions imposed by the Water District or the Massachusetts Environmental Protection.  The bylaw defines a State of Water Supply Conservation and a State of Water Supply Emergency and sets up restrictions for each state.  The bylaw also defines the procedures for declaring and terminating each state and provides for penalties for those who violate the restrictions.

The State of Water Supply Emergency may be declared by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection under Massachusetts General Law c. 21G, S15-17.  All users of the water supply must comply with all restrictions and provisions set out by the DEP.  The Water District may impose penalties on violators.

The State of Water Supply Conservation may be declared by the Board of Water Commissioners upon determination by a majority of the Board that a shortage exists such that conservation measures are necessary to ensure an adequate supply of water to all consumers.  One or more of the following restrictions may be imposed:

• Odd/Even Day Outdoor Water Usage: Outdoor watering by users with odd numbered addresses is restricted to odd numbered days.  Users with even numbered addresses may water on even numbered days only.
• Outdoor Watering Ban: Outdoor watering is prohibited.
• Outdoor Water Usage Hours: Outdoor watering is permitted only during periods specified in the declaration of a State of Water Supply conservation and the public notice.
• Filling Swimming Pools: Filling swimming pools is prohibited.
• Automatic Sprinkler User: The use of automatic sprinkler systems is prohibited.
• Any other restriction that the District finds necessary

Violators of these restrictions are liable to the Water District for $50.00 for the first offense and $100.00 for each subsequent violation.  For the full text of the bylaw, see the Bylaws of the West Boylston Water District.