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Georgetown Water Department Announces Phase 4 Water Use Restriction
***Georgetown remains in a Phase 4 Drought. Map Updated Nov. 14, 2022***
The Georgetown Water Department announces that the town is under a Phase 4 water restriction, which bans all unattended non-essential outdoor water use.
The Board of Water Commissioners voted on Monday, Aug. 8, to further restrict water use. The Parker River streamflow, a key source of water to the community, is essentially dry at 0.1 cubic feet per second.
Water Department staff will be monitoring outdoor use by residential and commercial customers. Violation of the restrictions carries increasing penalties:
- First violation: Verbal or written warning of non-compliance. The Water Department has created door hangers to notify parties that are out of compliance.
- Second violation: $150 fine
- Third violation: $400 fine
- Fourth violation: Discontinuation of water service
By Water Department policy, the restriction may be lifted after seven consecutive days of increasing flow.
“It’s vital that we as a community work together to protect our water supply both for drinking and for fire service protection,” said Utility Director Marlene Ladderbush. “Thank you to our residents and businesses for their understanding and cooperation.”
Georgetown Water Department Enhances Water Restrictions to Phase 3
The Georgetown Water Department has enhanced its active water restriction to Phase 3 due to ongoing and increasing drought conditions. This is a result of reduced streamflow of 0.5 cubic feet per second in Byfield.
What does this mean?
- Non-essential outdoor watering is banned between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
- Unattended non-essential outdoor watering is restricted to one day per week
- Odd house numbers may conduct non-essential outdoor watering before 7 a.m. and after 7 p.m. on Thursdays
- Even house numbers may conduct non-essential outdoor watering before 7 a.m. and after 7 p.m. on Tuesdays
- Sprinklers may not be used on the weekends
Commonwealth Declares End to Drought Conditions
From the Commonwealth of Massachusetts:
BOSTON – Following almost three months of normal or above normal rainfall, leading to the recovery of all indices, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary today declared an end to the drought in the Commonwealth and a Level 0 – Normal Condition in all seven regions of the state – Western, Connecticut River Valley, Central, Northeast, Southeast, Cape Cod and Islands regions. All seven regions were experiencing Level 1-Mild Drought conditions last month. The declarations were the result of a recommendation issued from a recent meeting of the Drought Management Task Force, comprised of state and federal officials, and other entities.