The West Newbury Water Departments water withdrawal permit from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) requires the department to limit nonessential outdoor water use through mandatory restrictions from May 1st through September 30th as outlined below. To the extent feasible, all summer outdoor water use should take place before 9am and after 5pm when evaporation and evapotranspiration rates are lower.

The restrictions are called “Calendar Triggered Restrictions”. At this time, under these restrictions all nonessential outdoor water use is restricted to:

ONE (1) day per week (WEDNESDAY’S ONLY) before 9am and after 5pm starting on July 6th 2022. The USGS stream gage 01101000 - Parker River at Byfield, MA has fallen below the 7-day low-flow statistic 0.48 cfs for three (3) consecutive days.

Once stream flow triggered restrictions are implemented, (1 DAY/WEEK), they shall remain in place until stream flow at the gage meets or exceeds 0.48 cfs for seven (7) consecutive days.

NOTICES WILL BE POSTED IF THE ALLOWABLE WATERING TIMES GO BACK TO SEVEN DAYS PER WEEK.

Water Use Restrictions

Nonessential outdoor water uses that are subject to mandatory restrictions include;

-irrigation of lawns via sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems;

-washing of vehicles, except in a commercial car wash or as necessary for operator safety; and

-washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways or sidewalks, except as necessary to apply surface treatments such as paint, preservatives, stucco, pavement or cement.

The following uses may be allowed when mandatory restrictions are in place. (Watering permitted anytime)

-irrigation to establish a new lawn and new plantings during the months of May and September;

-irrigation of gardens, flowers, and ornamental plants by means of a hand-held hose (no open-ended hoses, hose must be equipped with a spray nozzle that will shut off) or drip irrigation systems; and

-irrigation of lawns by means of a hand-held hose only (no open-ended hoses, hose must be equipped with a spray nozzle that will shut off).

Water uses NOT subject to mandatory restrictions are those required:
-for health and safety reasons;
-by regulation;
-for the production of food and fiber;
-for the maintenance of livestock; or
-to meet the core functions of a business (for example, irrigation by plant nurseries as necessary to maintain stock).

Many communities including West Newbury in stressed basins in Massachusetts have been under these types of restrictions for many years.

The Water Department may make more stringent restrictions in the future if need be. XXIII Water Use Restriction By-Law;

Section 9. Penalties

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