News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 23, 2022
Media Contacts:
Dr. Robert Duncanson, Director of Health & Natural Resources
508-945-5165
Water Conservation Measures
CHATHAM – On June 21, 2022, the Select Board implemented water conservation measures taking into account restoration of Well #5 following installation of PFAS treatment.
The Board implemented the following water conservation measures effective immediately:
- Irrigation System watering limited to Monday, Wednesday, & Friday between the hours of 3am -7am and 6pm -10pm.
- Hand watering is allowed at any time with user discretion. Hand watering includes such tasks as watering flower & vegetable gardens, shrubbery; washing outdoor furniture; boat and vehicle washing. Users are asked to be considerate when hand watering, only do so when necessary, and use a hose with a nozzle that shuts off when not being squeezed by the person to avoid a running hose when it’s not attended.
- Use by the Fire Department for training and equipment maintenance with discretion.
We remind users that established vegetation needs no more than 1” of water per week, either from precipitation or watering, or combination thereof. We also recommend that new plantings of shrubs, trees, or lawns be delayed if possible as these plantings require more water.
Municipal water users are reminded of the following from the Water Rules & Regulations:
- “As of April 1, 2018, the Chatham Water Department shall not allow the initial filling, or subsequent draining and re-filling, of swimming pools from the municipal water system.”(Article VII 19.)
- “No new irrigation systems shall be connected to the municipal water supply as of January 1, 2021.” (Article VI 2.)
- “Existing irrigation systems not already on a separate water meter shall be retrofitted, at the customers expense, with a separate water meter no later than January 1, 2022.” (Article VI 5.a.)
Violations could result in:
- First offense – Warning
- Second offense - $100 fine
- Third offense - $200 fine
Good quality and enough fresh drinking water are vital to the health of our community. While the ban applies only to those on the public water supply, private well owners are asked to take these measures into consideration as we all draw from the same aquifer.
