Full Notification

Pursuant to Chapter 257 of the Code (Ordinances) of the Town of West Springfield and the Town’s water withdrawal permit issued by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (“MassDEP”), residents are hereby notified that a state of water supply conservation exists due to a shortage of water.  As such, the Town hereby implements mandatory water use restrictions between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., beginning on Friday, July 22, 2022 and ending on Friday, September 30, 2022.  Additional information about the restrictions is detailed below.

What are the restrictions?

During the state of water supply conservation, nonessential outdoor water use is prohibited between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

What are examples of nonessential water use that are subject to these restrictions? 

Nonessential outdoor water uses that are subject to mandatory restrictions, during the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., include but are not limited to:

• Irrigation of lawns via hoses, nozzles, hand-held buckets, sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems;

• Washing of vehicles, except in a commercial car wash or as necessary for operator safety or to prevent damage and/or maintain performance of agricultural or construction vehicles or equipment; and

• Washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways or sidewalks, except as necessary to apply paint, preservatives, stucco, pavement or cement.

Exceptions to nonessential outdoor water uses are:

• Irrigation of public parks and recreation fields outside the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.;

• Irrigation of lawns, gardens, flowers and ornamental plants by means of a hand-held hose outside the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.;

• Irrigation with harvested and stored stormwater runoff;

• Irrigation of newly planted lawns (seeded or sodded) in the current calendar year for homes or businesses newly constructed in the previous 12 months; 

• Filling of privately owned outdoor pools; and

• Irrigation necessary to meet the core function of a business (e.g., irrigation by golf courses as necessary to maintain tees, greens, and limited fairway watering; irrigation by plant nurseries as necessary to maintain stock and establish new plantings; water used to wash equipment to prevent damage and maintain performance, pest management, and plant cooling, etc.).

Who must comply with the water restriction?

The water restriction applies to all customers that receive drinking water from the Town of West Springfield. Residents who utilize water from alternate resources, such as private wells, are not subject to these restrictions. However, all Town residents are strongly urged to conserve water by any means possible.

Why is there a water restriction?

Per the Town’s Water Withdrawal Permit (#9P-1-04-325.1), which is issued and governed by MassDEP, a limit on non-essential outdoor water use is required to be implemented when the conditions of Seasonal Demand Management Plan are met and the State Drought Task Force has issued a declaration of a "Level D1" or higher.

Effective July 12, 2022, following lower than normal rainfall for the past four months, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Bethany Card announced that conditions have deteriorated across the state and 90 percent of Massachusetts is now experiencing drought conditions. Secretary Card has declared a Level 2 – Significant Drought in the Connecticut River Valley, which includes West Springfield. 

As outlined in the Massachusetts Drought Management Plan, a Level 2-Significant Drought warrants the convening of an inter-agency Mission Group to more closely coordinate on drought assessments, impacts and response within the government. The declarations were the result of recommendations made by the state’s Drought Management Task Force, which is composed of state and federal officials, and other entities. The taskforce will continue to meet until water levels return to normal in the affected regions.

When is this restriction in effect?

This restriction is in effect from Friday, July 22, 2022, through Friday, September 30, 2022, unless the State Drought Task Force changes the drought status before that date. The Town will issue a separate notification when the restoration is lifted.

Why do the restriction limits for non-essential water vary from community to community?

MassDEP is working on updating all the Water Withdrawal Permits throughout the Commonwealth. The Town is expecting a new withdrawal permit in Fall of 2022 or Spring of 2023. Some communities have received their permit, which includes limits on non-essential watering, based on the Westfield River Flow Rate. This protects cold water fisheries' spring spawning and summer rearing/growth habitat. 

It is expected that when the Town receives its new permit, the watering of lawns will be reduced to one day a week from May 1 to September 30 each year. You may have noticed that the City of Northampton notifies its water users to limit their water use due to the Mill River's low flow (elevation).

What are the penalties for violating this restriction?

The penalties for any person violating this restriction shall be the following, issued to the assessed owner of the property where the violation occurred:

• A written warning for the first violation; 

• $50 for the second violation; 

• $100 for the third violation; and 

• $150 for each subsequent violation.

Each day of violation shall constitute a separate offense. 

If you have any questions, please call Jeffrey R. Auer at (413) 263-3230.