While this weekend’s showers may have greened up residents’ lawns, the extreme drought plaguing central and northeast Massachusetts continues. Now, as forecasters warn that drought conditions are expected to continue through Nov. 30, city and town governments are starting to get involved.
The Mass. Department of Environmental Protection reports that as of Sept. 28, at least 170 towns had either voluntary or mandatory municipal water-use restrictions on nonessential outdoor water use. But that does not include Harvard, whose municipal water district is extremely small. According to Public Works Director Rich Nota, the town wells serve only 75 residential customers, or 4 percent of the approximately 1,850 households in town. While Harvard’s predominance of private wells makes a water restriction difficult to enforce, this week the Board of Health and Board of Selectmen joined together to strongly recommend water conservation practices for all water users in Harvard, including those with private wells.
Citing low precipitation rates, groundwater deficits, and the limited ability of the groundwater supply to rebound in the future, the boards’ joint statement this week said, “It is of the utmost importance for residents to conserve water now and for the foreseeable future.” The statement recommended the elimination of outdoor watering. At the selectmen’s meeting this week, private well water users were specifically encouraged to cease nonessential water usage, such as car washing and lawn irrigation.
Shared sense of urgency
The selectmen agreed with the health board’s sense of urgency regarding the need for residents to practice conservative water usage given this year’s precipitation deficits, and they agreed to educate the public on effective water conservation habits by posting the health board’s recommendation and water-saving tips on the front page of the town website. Selectman Ron Ricci noted that installing water-saving features such as low-flow showerheads and toilets is important, “not just because of the drought, but because it’s good practice.” See the sidebar below for other recommended water conservation habits.
Selectman Stu Sklar asked whether there would be any way to enforce a mandatory water restriction for private well users, which Libby Levison and the other Board of Health members agreed was not possible.
“The Board of Health does not want to be the sprinkler police,” said Chairwoman Sharon McCarthy in a phone interview before the meeting. “We want to call on people’s sense of stewardship for the environment. We feel there are enough, perhaps a substantial majority of people in Harvard, who feel that sense of stewardship, and if they all take some action, collectively they could have a big impact.”
Not all towns with extremely small municipal water districts have shied away from implementing outdoor water bans. Carlisle, which the state recognizes as having a small water district similar in size to Harvard’s, banned outdoor watering on Sept. 12, including water drawn from private wells. The Carlisle Board of Health issued a statement indicating that the town’s water ban includes “watering lawns and gardens, filling pools, washing cars or buildings. Outdoor water uses not subject to the mandatory restriction include health and safety reasons, production of food, maintenance of livestock and when necessary to the core functions of a business.”
In Harvard, McCarthy said the Board of H ealth is planning on approaching other community boards and commissions to invite them to join in the government’s push for conservation habits, which are particularly important as the groundwater supply attempts to recharge before the ground freezes for the winter. “Having a reliable potable water supply is our primary concern for everyone,” she said. “Even though the grass is green, we’re not yet recharging the aquifer. The aquifer is a community resource. Conserving water at your own particular private well is in your own best interest, because if your well runs dry, you pay for the drilling. By reducing your water usage you preserve your well, as well as the shared community resource of the aquifer.”
Tips for Saving Water, Inside and Out
Outdoor Water Use
- Abide by local water-use restrictions.
- Stop watering your lawn during drought conditions, or water only as needed, generally no more than once or twice a week in the early morning (4 to 6 a.m.).
- Use shut-off nozzles on hoses and automatic shut-off devices on irrigation systems.
- Capture and reuse rainwater, using cisterns or rain barrels. A lid, mesh fabric, or several drops of baby oil on the surface will prevent mosquitoes from breeding.
- Keep your mower blades sharp to prevent tearing of grass, and raise your lawn mower’s blade to 2.5 inches. Longer grass provides shade for the roots and helps reduce water loss.
- Mulch reduces water evaporation from the soil while reducing the number of weeds that compete for soil moisture.
- Plan and design your garden for efficient outdoor watering, including using plants that need less water.
Bathroom
- Fix leaking faucets and toilets, and install low-flow toilets.
- Avoid using the toilet as a wastebasket: Every flush you eliminate can save between two and seven gallons of water.
- Don’t let the water run while you brush your teeth or shave. Turn the faucet on briefly to rinse. An electric razor saves water.
- Filling the bathtub uses about 50 gallons of water. Try filling it just halfway.
- Shorten your shower by one minute, and install a water-saving showerhead.
Kitchen
- Prepare food efficiently. Use a vegetable brush, spray water in short bursts, and use a faucet aerator.
- Defrost foods overnight in the refrigerator rather than using running water. Use the microwave or put wrapped food in a bowl of cold water.
- Reduce dishwashing. Scrape dishes, let really dirty pans soak, and limit dishwasher use to full loads. Avoid using your garbage disposal.
- Collect and reuse all the water that is wasted while waiting for the hot water to reach your faucet or showerhead. Use this to water your houseplants or outdoor planters. Do the same with water that is used to boil eggs or steam vegetables.
Laundry
- Wash only full loads of laundry.
- Consider purchasing a new water- and energy-efficient clothes washer.
Source: Massachusetts Drought Management Task Force, the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
