Dalton Fire Department

The Massachusetts Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) has declared a Level 2 – Significant Drought for the Western Region which includes the Town of Dalton. Because of this, Dalton residents are required to adhere to restrictions for water usage.

While Dalton, and in general most of the region, has received much needed rainfall, and the drinking water reservoirs remain at full capacity, Massachusetts, including the Berkshires, is experiencing the effects of two years of below average precipitation.

The stored water at the reservoirs is one factor in the hydrologic conditions that are monitored for drought conditions. When restrictions are imposed despite reservoirs being full, it is to ensure that adequate water supply is available for essential uses such as drinking, washing, fire protection and business.

The following water use restrictions are in place for the Town of Dalton:

• Limit non-essential outdoor watering to hand-held hoses or watering cans, to be used only after 5 p.m. or before 9 a.m.

Examples of “non-essential” water use include:

• 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 cement.
• Filling of swimming pools and hot tubs.

Examples of water uses NOT subject to restrictions:

1. For health or safety reasons, including public facilities used for cooling such as splash pads and swimming pools, and for washing of boats, engines or marine equipment to prevent negative saltwater impacts or the transfer of invasive aquatic species.
2. By permit, license, statute or regulation.
3. For the production of food, including vegetable gardens, and fiber.
4. For the maintenance of livestock.
5. To meet the core functions (those functions essential to the commercial operations) of a business, including but not limited to:
6. Plant nurseries as necessary to maintain stock.
7. Golf courses as necessary to maintain greens and tees, and limited fairway watering per 310 CMR 36.07(2)(c)2.a through c.
8. Venues used for weddings or similar special events that limit watering to hand-held hose or drip irrigation as necessary to maintain gardens, flowers and ornamental plants.
9. Professional washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways and/or sidewalks as necessary to apply surface treatments such as paint, preservatives, stucco, pavement, or dement in the course of construction, reconstruction or renovation work.
10. For irrigation of public parks.
11. For irrigation of public and private recreation fields, including those operated by schools, colleges, universities, and athletic associations.
12. For irrigation of publicly funded shade trees and trees in the public right-of-way.
13. To establish a new lawn as necessary to stabilize soil in response to new construction or following the repair or replacement of a Title 5 system.

Enforcement:

It is unlawful for any person to violate the terms, conditions, restrictions or requirements of a declaration of a state of water supply conservation.

• First Violation: Written warning
• Second Violation: $50 Fine
• Subsequent Violations: $300 Fine

Each day in which any violation exists shall be deemed to constitute a separate offense.

This notice is in effect until further notice