OUTDOOR WATER USE RESTRICTION UPDATE – LEVEL 4 (Effective 11/05/25)
On May 3, 2024, the District received its long-awaited amended Water Management Act (WMA) permit, which included a condition requiring the District to revise its existing seasonal outdoor water use restriction program to align with the stricter limits set forth in the new permit. To adopt and implement the controls necessary to do this, the District proposed revisions to the District’s Bylaws at the March 20, 2024 Annual District Meeting, which voters unanimously approved. Most notable was a permit condition limiting non-essential water use to no more than two days per week, which is different than our prior odd/even restrictions that were in place for over two decades.
We have developed the following Water Use Restriction Level system and will be utilizing the level 1-5 designations to quickly communicate the restrictions in place with the table below providing the details of the various levels. Look for this to be referenced in signage and notices going forward.
The current level 4 restriction only allows for food and fiber production or public health and safety. Your cooperation will help ensure we have adequate water supply to meet basic needs and fire protection purposes. It may also help maintain water quality and reduce the cost of purchased water from our neighbors. Any violations will be subject to a fine of up to $200 per incident. Watering via harvested rainwater, a private well, or other privately owned water source is also exempt from mandatory restrictions.
Remember that now is a great time to make sure your irrigation system and outdoor hose bibs are properly winterized.
We thank you for your cooperation and any water conservation efforts that you observe. Updates on the status of our outdoor water use restrictions in the imminent future will be communicated on our website, through our WaterSmart program, and via Twitter and Facebook @ActonWater.
For additional information on local hydrological conditions and weekly drought status updates, please visit these links:
- Local Groundwater Level Monitoring http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=422812071244401
- Local Stream Gauge Monitoring http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv/?site_no=01097300
- Massachusetts Drought Management Task Force https://www.mass.gov/orgs/drought-management-task-force
- National Integrated Drought Information System https://www.drought.gov
- United States Drought Monitor https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?MA
