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Water & Sewer - Water Use Restrictions

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1. How does the Town determine the level of Water Use Restriction?

The Water and Sewer Division closely tracks internal water system operation conditions, system demands, and extended weather forecasts as well as regulatory guidelines to determine if and when water use restrictions are in order. System demands generally escalate as temperatures increase, especially when the area is subjected to prolonged periods of dry weather. During such times, it is not uncommon for system demands to temporarily exceed production capacity.

2. What authority does the Town have to implement Water Use Restrictions?

The Water Use Restriction Bylaw (1995, amended 2002) was adopted by the Town of Concord under its police powers to protect public health and welfare, as well as its powers under Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 40, §21 et seq. This bylaw implements the Town's authority to regulate water use pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 41, §69B. Additionally, this bylaw implements the Town's authority under Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 40, §41 A, conditioned upon a declaration of water supply emergency issued by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP).

3. How do I find out the present level of Water Use Restrictions?

Water use restrictions are generally imposed during seasonal peak demand periods (May-September). During this time, the level of water use restrictions will always be presented on the Water and Sewer Division homepage and www.concordma.gov/conservation, as well as on dedicated sign boards located throughout the community.

4. How are customers notified of changes made to Water Use Restrictions?

Notice of any changes in water use restrictions is provided via a Seasonal Demand Management Banner on the Town’s website, News and Notices updates, prominently displayed electronic message boards located throughout Town, messaging on social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook, and in some cases, via the Town’s CodeRed emergency phone messaging system. Many of these messaging tools are “opt-in” services, meaning that you may self-select which services you wish to subscribe to. If you are interested in subscribing to any of these services and are not currently registered, you can opt-in by using the following links:

a. Seasonal Demand Management Banner on the Town’s website: Visit www.concordma.gov/conservation - From May through September you will find a green, yellow, or red square; if you click on the square it will bring you to a table detailing what is allowed during the different States of Water Supply Conservation.
b. News and Notices Updates: Sign up via Email or SMS text message
• www.concordma.gov/notifyme
• Scroll about halfway down the page to the News Flash heading
• Subscribe to News and Notices
c. Emergency Phone Calls and Text Messages: Enroll with your home and/or cell phone –
• www.concordma.gov/codered
• Sign up for emergency notifications only (uncheck general notifications).
d. Social Media: Follow Concord on Twitter - @concord_ma and on Facebook - concordmass

5. Why is watering restricted to certain times of day?

Outdoor watering is most efficient between 5pm and 9am. Sunlight significantly increases evaporation, meaning water that was intended to reach our lawn is lost to the air. Concord recommends outdoor watering between the hours of 5am-7am to maximize uptake and limit the amount of residual surface moisture, which can leave your plants susceptible to molds.

6. How do I determine my watering day?

Your watering day is scheduled on the same day as the municipal trash pick-up day. If you do not take advantage of the municipal trash services, you can find out your authorized watering day by visiting www.concordma.gov/wateringday www.concordma.gov/wateringday

7. What triggers a Seasonal Water Conservation Advisory?

A Seasonal Water Conservation Advisory automatically goes into effect from May 1st through September 30th each year. This Advisory corresponds to the time of year where we have historically observed increased water system demands, mostly attributed to outdoor, seasonal water use. These dates also correspond to seasonally applied water conservation-based rates for residential customers.

During this time, we ask all customers to be mindful of their outdoor water use needs and activities by adopting best management practices. These efforts, if successful, will help preserve our natural water resources and will extend the period of time before more serious restrictions may need to be imposed. Concord’s Advisory level corresponds generally to ‘Normal’ or ‘Advisory’ levels as defined within the Massachusetts Drought Management Plan.

8. What triggers a Lawn Watering Restriction?

A “Lawn Watering Restriction” requires a formal declaration by the Public Works Commission (PWC), and may be imposed under one of the following conditions:
a.) water system demand approaches the limit of available supply OR
b.) the State has imposed a mandatory water use restriction in accordance with a condition included in our Water Management Act permit OR
c.) the Secretary of EEA has issued a regional Drought Advisory.

9. What triggers a Lawn Watering Ban?

A “Lawn Watering Ban” requires a formal declaration by the Public Works Commission (PWC), and may be imposed under one of the following conditions:
a.) water system demand has exceeded the limit of available supply OR
b.) the State has imposed a mandatory water use restriction in accordance with a condition included in our Water Management Act permit OR
c.) the Secretary of EEA has issued a regional Drought “Warning”.

10. What triggers a Water Supply Emergency?

A “Water Supply Emergency” requires a formal declaration by the Public Works Commission (PWC) and a potential emergency declaration by MassDEP. A Water Supply Emergency may be declared under one of the following conditions:
a.) water demand has exceeded the limit of available supply OR
b.) the State has imposed a mandatory water use restriction condition in accordance with a Water Management Act permit OR
c.) the Secretary of EEA has issued a regional Drought “Warning” OR
d.) there is a loss of critical infrastructure OR
e.) there is a water quality emergency (i.e. Boil Order, Do Not Drink Order).

11. Why just restrict lawn and turf watering?

Lawn and turf irrigation accounts for over half of all household water consumption in the months of May-September. It is critical for everyone’s health and safety that enough water be available for essential uses throughout the summer season. While we ask that customers conserve water both indoors and out, we know that saving water during the summer months is as simple as turning your irrigation system off or down.

12. What about gardens, flower beds, and trees?

Customers are allowed to water trees, shrubs, and flower or vegetable gardens on any day of the week during water use restrictions. Watering can be accomplished by use of bucket, spring-loaded spray nozzle, micro/drip irrigation, or an automated irrigation system if it is zoned to only water non-turf areas.

13. What about watering new lawns and landscaping?

New lawns and plantings should be planted in the spring or fall to avoid excessive use of irrigation during the drier summer months when water is limited. Better yet, plants native to the region could be incorporated into your landscape design to avoid supplemental irrigation all-together.

New lawns and plantings which require watering beyond what is allowed under the current State of Water Conservation require a Water Use Restriction Variance. Water Use Restriction Variances are issued at the discretion of the Concord Public Works Director and can be obtained online at www.concordma.gov/watervariance . Water Use Restriction Variances will not be issued during a Lawn Watering Ban in order to encourage residents to plant new lawns in the spring when water is more plentiful.
Water Smart Landscape Templates

14. I’m not home and I cannot adjust my irrigation system controller. What should I do?

Contact a neighbor or your irrigation provider and have them manually shut off the valve next to your backflow preventer until someone is able to get inside to reprogram your controller (and reopen the valve). If you are frequently away from home, we recommend working with your irrigation provider to install a Smart WiFi-based controller, which can be monitored and managed remotely by either you or your irrigation provider from a smart phone, tablet, or computer.

15. Can I wash my car, truck, or boat during lawn watering restrictions or bans?

Yes; to prevent the unnecessary use of water, boats and cars must be washed with a hose equipped with a spring-loaded nozzle and a bucket filled with water. When washing a car, park it over a
non-paved or porous surface to limit water runoff. There are no daily or hourly restrictions for these activities. We do recommend that you bring your vehicle to a commercial carwash, as they clean and recycle the water, but recognize that this is not feasible for all vehicles and equipment.

16. Can I hose down my house, driveway, deck, fence or other outdoor surface during lawn watering restrictions or bans?

No; all outdoor surfaces are prohibited from being hosed down. This includes washing or cleaning of streets, driveways, sidewalks or other impervious areas is prohibited in all other stages with exception for health, sanitation and medical purposes.

17. Can I pressure wash my house, driveway, deck fence or other outdoor surface during lawn watering restrictions or bans?

Yes; we recommend that you use a pressure washer that uses less than 3.5 gallons per minute. There are no daily or hourly restrictions for these activities.

18. My fertilizer/pesticide/herbicide application requires watering outside my designated watering time. What should I do?

It is expected that the watering restrictions will be abided by. Lawn fertilization is most effective when applied in fall, early spring, and late spring. Fertilizer is more likely to harm your lawn than help it during a period of drought. If you do plan to fertilize your lawn during the summer months, it is best to wait until the forecast predicts a period of steady, light rain.

19. I am not connected to the municipal water supply. I use a private well or other water source for lawn watering. Do the water use restrictions apply to me?

Water use restrictions do not apply to those homes on private wells or other water sources. However, all property owners are encouraged to be good environmental stewards and abide by the water use restrictions to conserve this vital resource. Be advised that more and more communities are exploring means by which private wells used for outdoor irrigation can be regulated!

20. How does restricting lawn watering help address the water shortage?

Lawn and turf irrigation accounts for over half of all household water consumption in the months of May-September. It is critical for everyone’s health and safety that enough water be available for essential uses throughout the summer season. While we ask that customers conserve water both indoors and out, we know that saving water during the summer months is as simple as turning your irrigation system off or down.

21. Why are recreational fields exempt from the restrictions?

Properly maintained recreation fields have been determined to be important and valued community assets. These areas are often too large to be effectively irrigated within the allowable sprinkling times. Playing fields grown on a sand base can die if not watered. Due to the high replacement costs of playing fields and large irrigated grass areas, the Town believes it is fiscally irresponsible to harm these assets due to lack of watering. Irrigation via the public water supply will be greatly reduced and often stopped completely at parks, schools and municipal properties during a Lawn Watering Ban, and will be stopped completely during a Water Use Emergency. With that said, all fields must be constructed and maintained at an acceptable level to allow the safe use of sports teams.

22. My neighbor is not using water in accordance with the water use restrictions. How do I report this offence?

Reports can be made to the Concord Water and Sewer Division via phone at 978-318-3250, email: watersmart@concordma.gov

Please record the address and street that the violation has occurred at as well as the time and type of violation for staff to follow up.
email: watersmart@concordma.gov

23. How does the Town of Concord enforce the water use restrictions?

Reports of a violation are confirmed with a site visit, followed by a detailed review of water use history. A certified letter is then sent to the homeowner to provide them with the details of the violation, as well as to provide educational materials. If non-compliance continues, staff can issue fines of up to $100 per offense and/or the property owner may have to appear in court.

24. How much water is saved by implementing water conservation measures?

Seasonal weather patterns in the spring and summer months drastically affect the demand on our municipal water system. These environmental variables make it difficult to quantify the reduction in demand with absolute certainty.

For an example, check out our article on Page 4 of the 2017 Annual Water Quality Report which details the 2016 Demand Management & Drought Response.
Annual Water Quality Report