While conditions have improved thanks to recent rainy weather, Haverhill residents with lawns, gardens and trees still face restrictions on watering.
Mayor Melinda E. Barrett spelled told city councilors Tuesday night what residents can expect after, as WHAV reported at the time, wide-ranging restrictions were imposed a month ago.
“We have been a little fortunate, although people probably don’t like their weekends, but we’ve been having some weather which has helped our status a little bit. But every little inch counts. And we told you last time when we declared the drought emergency we’d be back with the parameters or our restrictions and our tiers and Mr. Ward is here to fill you in.”
Public Works Director Robert E. Ward said, as before, edible plants and vegetable gardens; newly planted trees, shrubs or perennial plants; and tree bags may be watered before 7 a.m. and after 7 p.m. so long as they use water cans, hoses with automatic shut-offs and tree water reservoir bags. He announced additional “allowable water” uses, permitting watering of newly seeded or sodded lawns during the initial; 30-day establishment period and irrigation by the city of public parks and recreational fields by automatic sprinkler systems.
Ward said overnight watering helps reduce water evaporation. He added he doesn’t expect that there would be much demand to water residential lawns and gardens for another month given the still cool temperatures.
State Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper released updated figures Wednesday, showing the northeast region has improved from “critical drought” to “significant drought.”
Ward explained that despite the recent rain, the level of water in the city’s main water reservoir, Kenoza Lake, still hasn’t fully recovered.
“We are significantly lower than our average trend for our lake level. That’s where we stand so you can see we have good reason for not allowing most outdoor water usage.”
He also urged residents to continue to reduce indoor water uses including taking shorter showers and fixing leaking faucets and toilet. Ward said homeowners will be sent a reminder about the water usage restrictions as well as what is permitted in their May water bills. He also said they city will use its portable sign boards to remind those who do not get a water bill.
Seven months of lower-than-anticipated rainfall prompted the city to issue a drought emergency last month and invoke several water use restrictions including a prohibition on washing cars except at commercial car washes where water is recycled. Businesses that depend on water, like golf course and plan nurseries, were already exempt from the usage restrictions.
A fine system was also put in place. The first offense for noncompliance is a warning, the second offense is a $50 fine and third and subsequent offenses is $100 per day with the risk of water service termination.
Ward also urged residents to take advantage of the city’s $25 rebate on rain barrels ordered through the city’s website by April 13 so that individual homeowners can capture and store rainwater runoff. The barrels are $89 each and will be delivered by April 26, Ward said. The rebate, available even to those who ordered rain barrels before the rebate program was announced, will appear as a credit on city water bills. Residents do not need to actively apply for the rebate since the city is already keeping a list of those who have purchased them, he added.