NORTHAMPTON — The city has imposed a water use restriction until further notice and violations carry a fine of $100 for the first offense.
Between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., no non-essential use of the public water supply will be allowed. Unrestricted outdoor water use is allowed from 5 p.m. until 9 a.m.
Non-essential water use includes irrigation of lawns and watering of gardens, flowers, and ornamental plants by sprinklers or mechanical means other than a handheld hose; washing vehicles, other than at commercial car washes; and washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways or sidewalks except as needed to apply paint, preservatives, stucco, pavement or cement.
Violators can be fined $200 for second and subsequent offenses.
Donna LaScaleia, director of Public Works, said the public water supply is regulated by the state. Restrictions are imposed when “stream flow in the Mill River drops below a certain quantity of flow (26.3 cubic feet per second) for a three-day period or when the DEP Drought Task Force declares Drought Advisory Level 1 or higher.”
On Wednesday, LaScaleia said the stream flow has dropped below 26.3 cubic feet per second for three consecutive days.
“The water restriction can be lifted when the stream flow rises above that level for seven consecutive days or when the DEP Drought Task Force lifts the Drought Advisory,” LaScaleia wrote in a public statement.
The DPW has posted water conservation tips on its Water Division website.
Brian Steele can be reached at bsteele@gazettenet.com.