BPW approves new summer water restriction policy

Under a policy adopted by the Board of Public Works (BPW) on April 28, restrictions on nonessential summer outdoor water use will be triggered by a new, more stringent set of criteria.

The BPW is implementing the new policy in order to comply with Mass. Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) requirements contained in the city’s Water Management Act permit issued on December 10, 2008.

Currently, water levels at Northampton’s Ryan Reservoir, located in West Whatley, are used as the basis for decision making about implementing water restriction directives. Under the new policy, summer restrictions will be triggered when readings at a United States Geological Service (USGS) stream gauge on the Mill River fall beneath 26.3 cubic feet per second (cfs) for three consecutive days.

Use restrictions may also be mandated by Massachusetts Drought Management Task Force.

When low streamflow conditions or drought advisories occur, the following “nonessential outdoor water uses” will be prohibited between May 1 and September 30:

• Irrigation of lawns, except by means of a hand-held hose outside the hours of 9-5:00 p.m.
• Washing of vehicles other than by means of a commercial car wash, except as needed for operator safety.
• Washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways, or sidewalks, except as needed to apply paint, preservatives, stucco, pavement, or cement.

Exceptions include irrigation to establish new lawns during May and September, the irrigation of public parks and recreational fields, and the irrigation of gardens via hand-held hoses.

The DEP exempts water use for health and safety, for the “production of food and fiber,” for livestock, and to meet the core functions of a business.

The City may also institute odd/even-day watering, watering bans, and the filling of swimming pools.

Water use violations are subject to fines of $100 for a first violation and $200 for second and subsequent violations.

The DEP allows municipalities to issue a blanket, calendar-based water restriction policy from May 1 to September 30 each year, but the BPW is choosing not to exercise this option.

Concerns Expressed

Concerns were expressed at Thursday’s meeting that switching from a reservoir measurement to a streamflow measurement model might trigger mandatory water restriction alerts when they are not really necessary. The Mill River, where the USGS gauge is located, and the Ryan Reservoir in West Whately are fed by separate watersheds.

BPW member Gary Hartwell, a facilities project manager at Smith College, said that during the summer, the Mill River consistently falls below the trigger levels defined by the DEP. “Under these criteria, we may find ourselves having to issue a water restriction policy all summer long,” said Hartwell. “I live near the Mill River, and during the summer you can walk right across it.”

BPW member Michael Parsons asked if overly-aggressive state-imposed water use restrictions during the summer might adversely impact the ability of the City’s Water Enterprise Fund to generate revenue. “That’s a good question,” said City Engineer James Laurila.

The City’s 25 million gallon Francis P. Ryan Reservoir, fed by the pristine West Brook, provides Northampton with about 3 million gallons of water per day, according to Water Division records. In general, Northampton is blessed with an abundant water supply, said Laurila. In 2002, however, severe drought conditions caused the reservoir to fall by 16 feet.