Archive 2008 - 2019

Mandatory Odd/Even Water Ban

by Linda Mann
4/28/2011

 

Under the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s Water Management Act Permit to the Town of Holliston, the Water Department is mandated to impose a Water Ban on nonessential outdoor water use every day between the hours of 9AM to 5PM. The Water Ban will begin May 1, 2011 and continue until September 1, 2011.

NONESSENTIAL OUTDOOR WATER USES INCLUDE IRRIGATION OF LAWNS VIA SPRINKLERS OR AUTOMATIC IRRIGATION SYSTEMS, WASHING OF VEHICLES EXCEPT A COMMERCIAL CAR WASH, WASHING OF EXTERIOR BUILDING SURFACES AND DRIVEWAYS EXCEPT AS NECESSARY TO APPLY SURFACE TREATMENTS SUCH AS PAINT, PRESERVATIVES OR PAVEMENT.  LAWN WATERING WILL BE PERMITTED OUTSIDE THE RESTRICTED HOURS ON AN ODD/EVEN SYSTEM.  PROPERTIES WITH EVEN STREET NUMBERS MAY WATER LAWNS ON TUESDAY and THURSDAY.  PROPERTIES WITH ODD STREET NUMBERS MAY WATER LAWNS ON WEDNESDAY and FRIDAY.   NO LAWN IRRIGATION ALLOWED ON SATURDAY, SUNDAY and MONDAYS. HAND-HELD HOSE WATER USES WILL BE PERMITTED ON ALL DAYS OUTSIDE THE RESTRICTED HOURS OF 9AM – 5PM.  IT IS REQUESTED THAT PROPERTIES WITH ONSITE PRIVATE WELLS RESTRAIN FROM LAWN WATERING DURING THE 9AM to 5PM TIME.

WATERING IS ALLOWED FOR ALL AGRICULTURAL USES, FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW LAWNS (permit required from water office), PLANTINGS, IRRIGATION OF PUBLIC PARKS AND RECREATIONAL FIELDS OUTSIDE THE HOURS OF 9AM TO 5PM. 

It should be noted that under typical weather conditions, lawn watering normally requires only one inch water per week to remain healthy. You can direct questions about the mandatory water ban to the Holliston Water Department at 429-0603 or 893-6384.