The Lynnfield Center Water District (LCWD) reminds residents of seasonal water-use restrictions that went into effect on May 1 and will remain in place until Sept. 30.
A Level 2 restriction is in place at this time. Outdoor lawn and garden watering is allowed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. only.
The Lynnfield Center Water District maintains a year-round watering restriction schedule as mandated by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. More information about the restrictions is available online here.
“With warmer weather fast approaching and after a relatively dry spring season, water consumption throughout the District is above average,” Superintendent John Scenna said.
In 2020 the District recorded well-above-average consumption, at times observing nearly a 20 percent increase in average daily demand. Most of the increase is attributed to COVID-19 pandemic stay-at-home advisories.
Scenna feels that some may be a new normal, the result of “demographic changes in the community with homes turning over from smaller families to well-established families of five or six people that put higher levels of demand on the system.”
This year the District is recording 30-day total consumption and 30-day average day consumption trends that exceed pre-pandemic 2019 levels.
The current 30-day average is 612,000 gallons per day, compared to 573,000 gallons per day in 2019. The District also is starting to record peak demands approaching 950,000 gallons per day, near its maximum daily pumping capability.
“We encourage residents to be cognizant of their usage and thank them for adhering to these guidelines during the next few months,” Superintendent Scenna said.
Staff will continue to monitor daily water usage and Ipswich River water levels, and change restrictions if demand begins to approach supply capacity. Varying levels of restriction still allow for outdoor use at times when overall capacity on the system is not as high.
Notifications about additional restrictions will be published on the district website. Signs will be posted in the community. Code Red will be used at times if needed.
District ratepayers recently approved a Capital Program that will provide additional water supply resources in the coming years. Among those is a connection to the Wakefield water system, allowing the District to access Massachusetts Water Resources Authority water, and the construction of a new greensand filter plant at Glen Drive.
Those upgrades are about to enter the design phase and will be in construction for two years. The District also is working with the state Department of Environmental Protection on approving the use of Station 1 on Phillips Road, which has not been in use since 2017.
The District maintains a year-round watering restriction schedule as mandated by DEP and meets water withdrawal limits. The restrictions also help ensure that the District can maintain proper water pressure to meet potential firefighting demands and also adequately operate the system.
Scenna stated that an increase to Level 3 restrictions, which limits outdoor watering to two nights per week, is “more than likely, if not imminent.”
Customers with questions or concerns about the restrictions can call 781-334-3901 or email LCWD@LCWD.US.
Discover more from John Guilfoil Public Relations
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.