Full Notification

CITY OF PEABODY
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR EDWARD A. BETTENCOURT, JR.
Voluntary Water Restrictions
For Immediate Release For More Information Contact July 8, 2016 Public Services 978-536-7107
24 Lowell Street Peabody, Massachusetts 01960
P. 978-538-5700 F. 978-538-5980
Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt has declared a water emergency for the City of Peabody effective July 8, 2016. This emergency is the result of a prolonged period of low precipitation. At this time of the year, water usage increases 5 million gallons per day to approximately 10 million gallons per day, causing the low water pressure in some neighborhoods throughout the city. This high usage also requires the City to purchase water from the MWRA at a higher rate.
This initial water emergency measures consists of a Phase I – Voluntary Request -- Requesting residents to conserve water by watering your lawns every other day as listed below:
 Via sprinklers or by hose (both in-ground and above-ground systems). Odd # houses Monday-Wednesday-Friday Only 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Even # houses Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday Only  Cars may only be washed during scheduled watering times.  No Sunday watering allowed
If the precipitation does not improve, and usage does not decrease, we may have to go to Phase II - Mandatory Water Restriction – This mandates water use restriction. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Vast quantities of water are used for watering lawns and gardens during the warm weather months, putting additional stress on water supplies. Summer is the most important time for us to be conscious of how we use water in our day-to-day activities. Visit http://www.mass.gov/dep for more information about conserving water on a daily basis.
Lawns should only be watered when necessary, early morning if possible. Lawns only require one (1) inch of water per week. Using a rain gauge will help you determine if your lawn needs more water. Frequent light watering can weaken the lawn, encouraging shallow roots that are less tolerant of dry periods. Other ways to conserve water and keep your lawn looking its best include: keeping mower blades sharp to prevent tearing of grass, raising the blade to 2 ½ inches as longer grass provides shade for the roots and helps to reduce water loss, decreasing the size of the lawn by creating pebbled areas, planting drought resistant ground covers, planting ornamental plants that can withstand periods with low water, mulching to provide a ground cover that reduces water evaporation from the soil while reducing the number of weeds that compete for soil moisture.
All automatic lawn sprinkler systems have a rain shut off device installed as a water demand reduction measure. Sewer use credit will not be allowed until the installation of this device is verified.