Mandatory Water Ban

TOWN OF STURBRIDGE

MANDATORY WATER BAN

EFFECTIVE 6/6/2022

UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

To meet the Town’s WATER MANAGEMENT ACT PERMIT # 9P2-2-09-287 01 (Quinebaug River Basin) issued by MassDEP, the Sturbridge Water Department has been required by MassDEP to enter into a Mandatory WATER BAN when the Quinebaug River flow rate at the USGS Quinebaug River Gauge Station near Southbridge #01123600 falls below 87 cubic feet per second (cfs) for three (3) consecutive days between May 1 and June 30 and below 37 cfs between July 1 and September 30. 

The rules apply from May 1 through September 30.  When the flow rate falls below the trigger condition during that time, the following water use restrictions shall be in effect and enforced to comply with the Town’s.  Once implemented, the restrictions shall remain in effect until stream flow at the gauge meets or exceeds the trigger for seven (7) consecutive days. 

Non-essential outside water use is not allowed, except that sprinklers may be used for lawn watering outside of the hours of 9 AM to 5 PM. 

Non-essential water use is defined as water use that is not required:  (a) for health or safety reasons, (b) by regulation, (c) for production of food and fiber, (d) for the maintenance of livestock, or (e) to meet core functions of a business.

Examples of non-essential use are irrigation of lawns, washing of exterior buildings surfaces, parking lots, driveways or sidewalks unless it is to apply paint, preservatives, stucco, pavement or cement. Acceptable outside examples are irrigation to establish a new lawn during the months of May and September, irrigation for production of food and fiber or the maintenance of livestock, irrigation by plant nurseries as necessary to maintain stock. The irrigation of public parks and recreational fields shall follow the same restrictions.

Note:  lawn sprinklers are very popular, and many people have installed underground automatic systems.  While this can be positive, it can also create serious problems if not installed properly.  Any landscaping company will tell you that the best time to water your lawn is in the early morning or during the evening.  Watering your lawn during the day wastes water due to the evaporation that occurs.  Some experts say that as much as 50 percent of the water will evaporate before it soaks into the ground on a hot sunny day.   

Signs will be placed on Rt. 20, Rt. 131 and major entrances into town, and notices placed on the Town’s Web site and local cable access Channel to notify residents when the ban is in effect. 

Your cooperation in preserving our natural resources and complying with the permit is appreciated.

For historical flow rate data go to: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/dv?cb_00060=on&format=html&begin_date=200...23600&referred_module=sw