Water Conservation Restrictions

Current Water Conservation Status: Tier 5 – All nonessential outdoor water use (including watering with a handheld hose) is prohibited, due to the current drought status in our region. All residents and businesses are encouraged to reduce their water use. 

Medfield is now subject to a Tier 5 water use restriction due to the ongoing drought in our area. The state has declared a Level 3 – Critical Drought for the Southeast Region, which Medfield is a part of, and requires a Tier 5 water restriction. All nonessential outdoor water use is prohibited. More information about the state’s drought declaration is available here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/drought-status  

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. If you have any questions, please contact the Water Department at 508-906-3004 or by email to mgoulet@medfield.net 

Information about Water Restrictions:

When elevated restrictions are in place, nonessential outdoor water uses that are subject to mandatory restrictions include: 

• Irrigation of lawns via sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems; 
• Washing of vehicles, except in a commercial car wash or as necessary for operator safety; 
• Washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways or sidewalks, except as necessary to apply surface treatments such as paint, preservatives, stucco, pavement or cement. 

The following uses may be allowed when mandatory restrictions are in place: 

• Irrigation to establish a new lawn and new plantings during the months of May and September;
• Irrigation of public parks and recreational fields by means of automatic sprinklers outside the hours of 9am to 5pm; 
• Irrigation of lawns, gardens, flowers and ornamental plants by means of a hand-held hose, except during a Tier 5 restriction.

Water uses not subject to mandatory restrictions are those required: 

• For health or safety reasons; 
• By regulation; 
• For the production of food and fiber; 
• For the maintenance of livestock; 
• To meet the core functions of a business (for example, irrigation by plant nurseries as necessary to maintain stock).

Because of the pump repair on our well 6, the Town of Medfield is already in a tier 4 drought emergency, which means no outdoor watering is allowed.

This today from DEP. The drought for our region is catching up with us slowly –

December 05, 2020

Mt. Nebo Water Tower Maintenance Project Complete

The project on the Mt. Nebo Water Tower is complete and the tank is being refilled. This process may disturb some debris, resulting in discolored water in homes…… Read on

Public Works

Posted on: August 16, 2020

Water Restriction Elevated to Tier 4

Nonessential water use prohibited

On Friday, August 14, 2020, following a drought declaration declared by the Commonwealth, the Board of Water and Sewer has announced that Medfield is now subject to a Tier 4 Water Restriction. This restriction goes into effect immediately and will remain in effect until further notice.

A Tier 4 water restriction prohibits nonessential water use. 

Examples of nonessential outdoor water use that are now prohibited:

• Uses that are not required for health or safety reasons
• Irrigation of lawns via sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems
• Washing of vehicles other than by means of a commercial car wash, except as necessary for operator safety
• Washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways or sidewalks, except as necessary to apply paint, preservatives, stucco, pavement or cement

Example of acceptable outdoor water use that is not affected:

• Irrigation of lawns, gardens, flowers, and ornamental plants via handheld hoses only

Please note that allowed use is not permitted between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm when evaporation and evapotranspiration are highest. 

This water restriction was put into place due to the drought declaration which triggered Restrictions based on Water Management Act Permit. In addition, daily water usage has continued to increase, despite the Tier 3 water restriction that limited water use to every other day. The Town’s water pumps are running significantly more hours per day than is typical, increasing the risk of mechanical issues. In addition, water levels in the Town’s storage tanks have declined. 

The Town’s Water Rules and Regulations include additional information on water restrictions and can be found at this link. MassDEP maintains a list of all communities with water restrictions in place. 

Water uses not subject to mandatory restrictions are those required:

• For health or safety reasons
• By regulation
• For the production of food and fiber
• For the maintenance of livestock
• To meet the core functions of a business (for example, irrigation by plant nurseries as necessary to maintain stock).

Thank you for adhering to this new water restriction and working together to reduce our water consumption.

Questions about the water restriction can be directed to Director of Public Works Maurice Goulet at 508-906-3002 or mgoulet@medfield.net.