Danvers Water Restriction Bans Sprinklers, Car Washing, Filling Pools

DANVERS, MA — All sprinkler use, home car washing and filling of pools was prohibited in Danvers effective on Wednesday as the town moved to a Level 5 water restriction.

The restriction allows for only watering of flowers, plants and gardens with hand-held hoses and watering cans from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily.

Violations of the Level 5 drought order result in a warning letter for the first offense with subsequent violations potentially resulting in a $300 fine.

"We appreciate the cooperation of all residents during this period," Danvers Water and Sewer Superintendent Scott Vesey said.

The Level 5 restriction — the first time the town has reached that level in two years — is because of drought conditions and low flow on the stressed Ipswich River.

The "conserve water" level is one step below the town's "extreme drought conditions" Level 6, which would ban all outdoor water use.

Patch recently talked with WBUR-FM Radio Boston host Carrie Jung about the endangered Ipswich River basin and the effect it has on summer water use in Danvers, and the 13 other communities under state restrictions, each summer when the Ipswich River sustains low water flow.

Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)