Water Department

The Sterling Water Department is part of the Department of Public Works. Town water is supplied to approximately 80% of the town's residents and businesses .

water drop

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 Permit issued by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection the Town is required to enact a Mandatory Water Ban from May 1^st to September 30^th between the hours of 9am – 5pm. The ban restricts “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
Washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways, or sidewalks, except as necessary to apply surface treatments, such as paint, pavement, cement Etc.

Examples of water uses that will be allowed

Irrigation to establish a new lawn and new plantings during the months of May to September
Irrigation of lawns, gardens, flowers, and ornamental plants by means of a hand-held hose
Irrigation of lawns by automatic sprinklers on an odd-even basis outside the hours of 9am to 5pm

Examples of water uses not subject to mandatory restrictions:

For health and safety reasons
For the production of food, crops, plantings (i.e. agricultural use)
For the maintenance of livestock
To meet the core functions of a business (i.e. irrigation of 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’s water use restriction Bylaw – section 9 with enforcement. Starting with a warning and education about water restriction and conservation and up to fines of $200 per violation.

Thank you for your cooperation as we adhere to compliance of the requirements of out permit. If you have any questions please contact the Department of Public Works at 978-422-6767.

Click here for Water Saving Tips

Click here for Other Helpful Links

Click here for information about private wells