EASTHAMPTON — Two more communities this week joined Northampton in announcing water restrictions, with Easthampton issuing a mandatory restriction and Southampton asking residents to voluntarily cut back on water usage.
The Easthampton Department of Public Works implemented restrictions that limit water use, especially nonessential outdoor water use, “to ensure a sustainable water supply and to protect stream flow for aquatic life.”
According to a press release from DPW Director Joseph Pipczynski, as of Tuesday there is a ban on nonessential outdoor use. Essential water use is limited to two days per week, before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m.
These essential water uses include lawn irrigation — except by handheld hose — car washing and exterior building washing, such as washing parking lots, driveways or sidewalks. Food production and watering of livestock are exempt from the restriction.
Water use restrictions in Easthampton are required to protect fish spawning and rearing habitat when stream flow in the Connecticut River drops below 7,742 cubic feet per second in May or June.
According to the announcement, the city will notify the public when the restriction is lifted, but any person found in violation may be subject to fines.
Also on Tuesday, Southampton announced voluntary water use restrictions due to recent hot, dry weather.
According to an announcement from the Board of Water Commissioners, Southampton has activated the town’s water interconnection with Easthampton on Monday to serve the Line Street, County Road and Pequot Ponds area “in an attempt to remain within our permitted withdrawal.”
The voluntary water use restrictions call for no outdoor automatic sprinkler use between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. all seven days of the week.
Outdoor water use is restricted to an odd-even schedule based on house number, where odd numbered houses may use water outdoors on odd days, while even numbered houses may use water on even days.
“We hope this will result in a reduction in water use,” the announcement stated. “If not we will have to consider Implementation of Mandatory Water Restrictions.”
Northampton implemented water restrictions last Friday.
As of Monday, DEP spokesman Ed Coletta said 87 communities have implemented water restrictions statewide. Ware, Orange, Athol and Shelburne Falls have also asked residents to restrict water usage.
M.J. Tidwell can be reached at mjtidwell@gazettenet.com.