The town’s Water and Sewer Department issued the following release:

We are mandated by the town’s water management permit issued by the state to limit non-essential outdoor use, to protect stream flow and aquatic life, and ensure sustainable drinking water. The town is required to implement a MANDATORY State of Water Supply Conservation from May 1 through Sept. 30, each year, pursuant to the town’s water use restriction by-law. Under chapter 199-6 Section F; lawn sprinklers may be used for lawn watering two days per week outside of the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. All other outdoor non-essential use is permitted daily outside the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. People residing in Precincts 1 and 3 may water on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Precincts 2 and 4 may water on Wednesday and Fridays. There shall be no lawn watering on Saturday, Sunday or Monday. This only applies to those water services connected to the municipal water system.

A normal lawn only needs about 1 inch of water per week. If rain is expected, or has just occurred, then your system should be shut off for the remainder of the week in order to avoid unnecessary and wasteful water use. You should check to ensure that your system in not dispensing more then what is needed during a dry week as well. Due to the twice per week restriction, the common belief is the sprinkler system needs to run for extended hours to maintain a green lawn, which is not the case. Your irrigation company can set your sprinklers to maintain the minimum amount required. It is only with each individual water user’s diligence toward efficient water use that we will be able to maintain safe water levels for drinking and fire protection in case of prolonged drought. Please plan accordingly if you are trying to establish a new lawn so that you may comply with these regulations.

Following are the penalties for non-compliance with the town’s water use restriction by-law. Any person violating this by-law shall receive a written warning for the first offense. For the second offense, any person violating this by-law shall be liable to the town in the amount of $100. For any violations beyond the second offense, water service may be suspended. Fines shall be recovered by inclusion as a charge on the next scheduled water bill.

The Water Department will be keeping users apprised of the current restriction through several methods. There are signs located throughout town at the following locations:

Main Street at Exxon
West Main Street at Wood Street westbound
Wood Street at Westborough line eastbound
Pond Street and Spring Street intersection
South Street and West Main Street intersection westbound
Main Street at Pleasant Street eastbound
West Main Street at School Street westbound
Ash Street at Park Street southbound
Hayden Rowe Street at tennis courts southbound
Hayden Rowe Street at Chestnut northbound
East Main Street at TJ’s westbound

We will also be utilizing the town websites, newspapers and cable TV and the CodeRed phone call system for emergencies. You can also follow us on Twitter @hopkintonwater for instant department updates. In addition you can subscribe to our notice feed at https://groups.google.com/a/hopkintonma.gov/forum/#!forum/watersewer to receive up to date information.

For a listing of your precinct please go to https://www.hopkintonma.gov/departments/town_clerk/election_information.php

For tips on minimizing water use outdoors, please visit our website at https://www.hopkintonma.gov/departments/department_of_public_works/water_and_sewer_department/index.php

If you would like to know if rain is on the way or how much rain we received so you can shut your systems off, you can follow @hopkintonWX on Twitter or check the weather station readings at www.hopkintonwx.com/ click on weather station.

We thank you for your cooperation in helping to preserve our most important natural resource!