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Outdoor Watering Restrictions

OUTDOOR WATER USE RESTRICTION UPDATE (Effective 10/01/2024)

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.

The new permit also requires us to monitor the stream gage on Nashoba Brook in North Acton. On September 11, 2024, the gage had been below the 7-day low flow trigger of 0.57 cubic feet per second (cu ft/s) for three consecutive days. This required us to limit non-essential water use to one day per week until the 7-day low flow was greater than or equal to 0.57 cu ft/s for seven consecutive days, which occurred on September 28, 2024. At this time all outdoor water use restrictions have been lifted until further notice, we appreciate your efforts to follow these restrictions throughout the year.

As you begin cleaning up your yard this fall, don’t forget to properly winterize your plumbing system, especially outdoor hoses and irrigation systems. Remove your hose and make sure the spigot is fully off, many times a shut off valve exists inside your home to protect the spigot from freezing. If you have an irrigation system, make sure it is properly shut off and drained. Finally, if any of your home plumbing is in drafty or unheated areas, add insulation to prevent freeze ups and broken pipes during the coldest winter nights. These actions can prevent damage to your home and property as well as save you from high water bills due to leaks and breaks after your water meter.

Remember that now is a great time to make sure your irrigation system is properly programmed and ready for the spring. Be sure to check your system for leaks and broken and inefficient heads and test your backflow prevention device. Any property observed not abiding by the mandatory restrictions is subject to fines and possible loss of outdoor water use. Do not depend solely on your contractor to properly manage your irrigation system controller. If you are travelling and unable to manage your irrigation remotely, consider shutting it off prior to your absence.

Healthy established lawns only require up to one inch of water per week during the height of the growing season and benefit from one long soaking versus multiple short soakings. Before irrigating, check that your lawn needs it by looking at recent and forecast rainfall amounts, checking soil moisture at a 6-inch depth, and seeing if footprints remain visible when you walk on the grass.

Thank you for your continued assistance and cooperation in using Acton’s water resources wisely.  It takes the entire community to enable a safe, sufficient, and reliable supply of water.

For additional information on local hydrological conditions and weekly drought status updates, please visit these links: