Outdoor Watering ban in Effect
Residents Can Help Ensure Sustainable Water Supply
The outdoor watering ban will continue through 2022 and until the new Whitcomb Ave water treatment plant is completed.
This is expected to be completed in January 2023.
What outdoor watering is prohibited?
Under the ban, non-essential outdoor water uses that are prohibited include:
- Watering lawns via sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems.
- Washing exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways, or sidewalks, except as necessary to apply surface treatments such as paint, preservatives, stucco, pavement or cement.
- Washing vehicles, except in a commercial car wash, or as necessary for operator safety.
- Filling swimming pools.
What outdoor watering is allowed?
The following uses are allowed:
- Watering of vegetable gardens.
- Watering using a hand-held hose or watering can between 7pm and 7am.
What are the penalties for violating the ban?
Any person violating this regulation shall be liable to the Town of Littleton Water Department as follows:
- 1st Violation: Written warning
- 2nd Violation: $50.00 fine
- 3rd Violation: $200.00 fine
- 4th Violation: $400.00 fine and reduction in water availability to allow for basic water use needs.
Each day of violation shall constitute a separate offense.
Why is there a reduction in supply?
There has been two factors pressuring LELWD’s overall well capacity. The state has experienced a drought, as a result, the state has raised the drought level to 3. LELWD is still prohibiting all non-essential outdoor water use within the 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. timeframe that Littleton Water customers are already familiar with from previous years’ watering restrictions.
This recent drought is coupled with the reduced well capacity due to the presence of a contaminant known as PFAS in water from the Spectacle Pond well site. Tests have shown that the Spectacle Pond wells have PFAS at an average of 25 parts per trillion. A temporary water main has been constructed that allows LELWD to blend water from the Spectacle Pond and Beaver Brook wells to reduce PFAS levels.
The purpose of blending the two sources is to lower the levels of PFAS below the new state PFAS standard of 20 ppt., but only enables recovery of half of the Spectacle Pond well capacity. That means there will be less water available during the drier and higher-use summer months.
For more information on LELWD’s plan to remove PFAS from the water supply, click here.
Private Well Owners
While private well owners are not required to comply with the water ban, we ask that they do their part to conserve water, as it all comes from the same aquifer.
Drought Monitoring
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?
Residents and consumers are encouraged to call LWD with any questions at 978-540-2222.
