Effective immediately, the City of Northampton Department of Public Works (DPW) is implementing a water use restriction for users of the Northampton Public Water Supply. Limiting water use, especially non-essential outdoor water use, is needed to ensure a sustainable water supply and to protect stream flow for aquatic life.
An immediate ban on non-essential outdoor water use is required between the hours of 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The water uses banned include:
- Irrigation of lawns and watering of gardens, flowers, and ornamental plants, except by means of a hand held hose. Irrigation systems may be used from 5:01 PM to 8:59 AM.
- Washing of vehicles, other than by commercial car wash.
- Washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways or sidewalks, except as needed to apply paint, preservatives, stucco, pavement or cement.
The City’s water supply system is regulated by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). DEP requires that water restrictions be implemented when stream flow in the Mill River drops below 26.3 cubic feet per second for a 3 day period. The water restriction can be lifted when the stream flow rises above that level for 7 consecutive days. The City will notify the public when the water restriction is lifted. Please visit the DPW website at
www.northamptonma.gov/dpw for water conservation tips.
Any person found violating these water restrictions is subject to the fines established in Chapter 325 and Chapter 40 of the City Ordinances. These fines are $100 for the first violation and $200 for the second and subsequent violations.
