Town Remains Under Stage 1 Drought Restriction

North Reading remains under a Stage I Mandatory Drought Condition.

Under the town bylaw for a Stage I Mandatory Water Drought Condition, water use is restricted as follows: Lawn watering is restricted to two times per week between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. as follows:

• Residents with ODD numbered addresses may water lawns on Tuesday & Friday only.

• Residents with EVEN numbered addresses may water lawns on Wednesday & Saturday only.

Residents with automatic sprinkler systems are advised to check their systems settings to ensure compliance, and to verify that system rain sensors are working.

Town officials suggest residents set their system to operate “as needed” between 4 a.m. to 7 a.m. or 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. “

As needed” may be as little as 30 minutes per zone.

Violation of the Stage I Water Use Restriction may result in penalties:

• 1st offense – Reminder Notice to home (documented)

• 2nd offense – $50 fine

• 3rd offense – $100 fine (daily for each additional offense)

The town reserves the right to shut off any water supply or service for disregard of water use restrictions in cases of a state of water supply conservation or state of water supply emergency.

In addition to restricting lawn irrigation via sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems, town officials request all non-essential outside water use be voluntarily minimized.

This includes washing of vehicles, except in a commercial car wash; washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways, etc.

Contact the Department of Public Works at (978) 664-6060 for further information.