Town of Cohasset Imposes Mandatory Outdoor Water Restrictions as Result of Ongoing Statewide Drought

Drought Watch in Place Effective Tuesday, Sept. 1

COHASSET — Town Manager Christopher Senior reports that the Town of Cohasset will be under a drought watch, effective Tuesday, Sept. 1. The drought watch brings with it a series of mandatory water restrictions for all Cohasset residents.

Cohasset is currently experiencing abnormally dry conditions that are impacting surface water supplies. Prior to the drought watch, the Town issued a drought advisory on Aug. 11.

The following mandatory outdoor water restrictions will be in effect until further notice:

• No outdoor water use is allowed between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
• Customers with odd numbered addresses are restricted to outdoor water use on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; Customers with even numbered addresses are restricted to outdoor water use on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
• No outdoor water use is allowed on Sunday. 
• The use of handheld hoses with an automatic shut-off to water lawns, gardens, flowers and ornamental plants is not subject to these restrictions.
• The washing of vehicles, except in a commercial car wash or as necessary for operator safety, is prohibited.
• The 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, is prohibited.

As part of the current Water Management Act Permit, Massachusetts DEP has approved a set of criteria for issuing this drought watch. They include:

• Precipitation (three cumulative months below 65% of normal)
• Stream flow (minimum target flows not consistently maintained)
• Storage (less than 365 days of storage)

On Monday, Aug. 31, the Town went below the threshold for precipitation. For June, July and August, the Town received 59% of normal.

Any person violating this restriction shall be liable to the Cohasset Water Department in the amount of $50 for the first violation and $100 for each subsequent violation. Each day of violation shall constitute a separate offense.  

“We thank our residents for their cooperation with these water conservation efforts,” Town Manager Senior said. “All communities in the Commonwealth are dealing with this ongoing drought, but if everyone does their part to conserve water it will go a long way towards making sure available levels are available. Even taking small steps, such as not watering during peak hours, can go a long way.”

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