Water Use Restriction Notice
Mandatory Water Ban May 1st through September 30th between the hours of 9am -5pm
In accordance with the requirements of the Water Management Act Final Permit issued by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection the Town is required to enact a Mandatory Water Ban from May 1st until September 30th between the hours of 9am – 5pm. The ban restricts daily “nonessential” outdoor water use from public water sources.
Examples of “nonessential” outdoor water uses 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.
Examples of water uses that may be allowed:
• Irrigation to establish a new lawn and new plantings during the months of May and September;
• Irrigation of public parks and recreational fields by means of automatic sprinklers outside the hours of 9am to 5pm; and
• Irrigation of lawns, gardens, flowers and ornamental plants by means of hand-held hose.
Examples of water uses NOT subject to mandatory restrictions:
• 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 golf courses as necessary to maintain tees, greens, and limited fairway watering, or irrigation by plant nurseries as necessary to maintain stock).
Violators of the Water Use Restriction will be subject to the Town of Sterling Water Use Restriction Bylaw- section 9 with enforcement starting with a warning and education about the water ban up to fines of $200 per violation.
Thank you for your cooperation as we adhere to compliance of the requirements of our permit. If you have any questions please contact the Department of Public Works at 978-422-6767 ext. 2005.
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