Town Adopts Critical Drought Water Use Restrictions
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Source: amherstma.gov
The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs declared the Connecticut River Valley to be in a Level 3 Critical Drought. The Town of Amherst’s water supply remains stable and not currently threatened by the drought situation. However, in accordance with the town’s Water Management Act Registration, the Town of Amherst is implementing water use restrictions to ensure responsible water management.
As outlined in the Massachusetts Drought Management Plan, a Level 3 Critical Drought indicates a critical strain on water resources and requires mandatory conservation measures and preparations for emergency conditions. Those living and working in Amherst, including those utilizing a private well, are required to follow a ban on all nonessential outdoor water use.
Essential Uses of Water
- Health and safety reasons, including public facilities used for cooling such as the splash pad and swimming pools.
- Production of food, including privately-owned home vegetable gardens.
- Maintenance of livestock.
- Core functions of a business, limited to plant nurseries, golf courses, wedding venues and professional washing for construction purposes.
- Irrigation of public or interscholastic athletic fields, and public parks, with restrictions
- Watering of publicly funded shade trees.
Nonessential Uses of Water
- Irrigation of lawns via sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems.
- Washing of vehicles, except in a commercial car wash or as necessary for operator safety.
- Washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways or sidewalks, except as necessary to apply surface treatments such as paint, preservatives, stucco, pavement, or concrete.
Burning Permits
State regulations permit open air burning of brush for spring yard cleanup from January 15 to May 1 each year. The Amherst Fire Department is currently issuing open air burning permits. However, with our region still under a critical drought, warm and dry conditions in April could lead to elevated fire risks similar to last fall. In such a scenario, open air burning may be banned for extended periods of time. To avoid disappointment this spring, the Amherst Fire Department encourages residents to obtain their permits promptly and to conduct their open air burning as early as possible this season. Learn more and obtain an Open Air Burning Permit.
More Information
This Level 3 Critical Drought declaration was made following a recommendation from the Massachusetts Drought Management Task Force (DMTF), which is composed of officials from state departments, federal agencies, and relevant regional organizations. Several factors are considered when determining a drought including precipitation, groundwater levels, streamflow, lakes and impoundments, evapotranspiration, and fire potential. The declaration will remain in effect until water levels return to normal conditions.