City of Worcester, MA

City of Worcester Drought Contingency and Water Supply Emergency Plan

For Immediate Release: 10/1/2020 9:47 pm

Worester has announced a Stage 1 Drought, effective Monday, Oct. 5. 

Stage 1 Use Reduction Goal

The goal of use restrictions under a Stage 1, Water Supply Alert is 5-percent reduction in overall water use and public awareness of the drought.

Stage 1 water restrictions are applicable to all water users. 

Water waste is prohibited – which includes the following:

• Failure to repair a controllable leak, including, broken sprinkler heads, water services, fire pipes, leaking valves, leaking or broken pipes or faucets
• Knowingly operating an irrigation system with (a) a broken head; (b) a head that is out of adjustment and spraying into the street, parking area, or sidewalk; or (c) a system that is misting/fogging due to excessive water pressure
• Allowing irrigation water to: (a)run off property forming a stream of water for a distance of 50 feet or greater; (b) run into a storm drain; (c) pond to a depth of ¼ inch or greater
• Allowing or causing an irrigation system or lawn watering device to operate while it is raining or when temperatures are at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Reduce non-essential water use. As used herein, non-essential water uses are those that do not have a health or safety impact and are not needed to meet the core function of the department.
• Shut down all City operated irrigation systems and fountains.
• Notify consecutive systems of actions being taken and require them to implement equivalent drought stage measures to reduce water use by five percent.
• Limit hydrant use permits. Variances may be granted under the approval of the Commissioner.
• Increase public education efforts on ways to reduce water use.
• Increase enforcement efforts.
• Update list of known groundwater and leaks.
• Increase public leak detection efforts.
• Promote leak detection and repair.

• Identify and repair leaks on private plumbing, automatic irrigation systems and service lines.
• Reduce exterior washing of vehicles at commercial facilities such as automobile rental, sales and service operations, taxi companies, trucking facilities and commercial garages where less than 50% of the water used is recycled. The washing of garbage trucks and vehicles used to transport food and/or other perishables may take place as necessary for health, sanitation, or public safety reasons.
• Prohibit washing of paved areas by any means except where a variance is granted to alleviate a possible public health and safety risk.

• Identify and repair leaks on private plumbing, automatic irrigations systems and service lines.
• Prohibit washing of paved areas by any means.