Haverhill has declared a drought emergency, effective Wednesday, after seven months of lower-than-expected rainfall in the region, with new water restrictions in effect for businesses and residents.
Haverhill city councilors heard the rationale and what it means for resident Tuesday night from Public Works Director Robert E. Ward. In this exchange with Councilor Melissa J. Lewandowski, he explained.
“Basically, the way I’m reading this is, you can still water your lawn, if you use a handheld hose, correct,” said Lewandowski, with Ward responding, “That’s if we do the exceptions. Right now, it’s all prohibited, but I think the mayor is thinking maybe some exceptions. So, we can talk a little bit more about those.”
Water restrictions prohibit any nonessential outdoor water use, but does allow exemptions for businesses such as for agricultural uses, for the core functions of a business like golf courses, plant nurseries and pest management, as well as exemptions for water used from irrigation harvested and stored from stormwater runoff. Several personal uses, such as using a handheld hose to water a lawn, are among uses subject to approval.
Exceptions were not discussed or determined at the time of reporting.
The first offense for noncompliance is a warning, second offense is a $50 fine and third and subsequent offenses are $100 per day with the risk of water service termination.
According to data from the state Drought Management Task Force, the state has received between two and four inches of rain and snow, approximately one to 1.5 inches below normal levels. Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper declared a Stage 3 Critical Drought, the agency’s highest designation in the Northeast Region, which encompasses Haverhill and surrounding communities.
Ward concurred, saying, “You look at September through January, it’s the driest five months that we have on record in the last 26 years or so.” He said the problem is “two-fold,” compounded by a lack of rainfall and a delayed recovery in winter due to lower snowfall, noting the region is approximately a month behind usual levels.
According to National Weather Service forecasts, the city is expected to receive some rainfall between Thursday night and Friday morning.
In other City Council news, with a motion from council Vice President Timothy J. Jordan and a second from councilor Michael S. McGonagle, councilors voted unanimously to authorize the city to submit a statement of interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority for the replacement of the Golden Hill School roof. The School Committee on Thursday unanimously approved the resolution as well.