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Water Conservation Program to Begin May 1 in Plymouth
Region at Level 1 – Mild Drought
Plymouth, Mass. – April 17, 2024 – Aquarion Water Company today announced the start of a mandatory outdoor water conservation program. Beginning on May 1, this program applies to all Pinehills and Ponds of Plymouth customers. The conservation program helps to ensure a sustainable drinking water supply, protect natural resources and streamflow for aquatic life, and comply with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection requirements and the region’s current drought level status.
Under these mandatory schedules, non-essential outdoor water use is allowed only at the scheduled times below. Non-essential water use includes irrigation of lawns by sprinklers and automatic irrigation systems, vehicle washing, and washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, and driveways. Watering of plants and gardens is allowed with drip irrigation, hand-held hose, or watering can.
Aquarion recommends several ways to use water wisely inside and outside the home:
- Repair water leaks – check your toilet for leaks by placing a few drops of food coloring in the tank. If food coloring appears in the bowl after 15 minutes, the tank mechanism needs repair
- Install water-saving shower heads and low-flow faucet aerators
- Turn off the water while shaving, brushing your teeth, and washing your face or hands
- Use a broom or blower instead of water to clean decks, driveways, and sidewalks
- Allow grass to grow longer – taller grass shades itself, is healthier, and requires less water
- Use a rain barrel to fill watering cans, connect a garden hose, feed a drip irrigation system, and for other outdoor chores
The mandatory conservation program is in effect from May 1 to September 30 and follows the requirements below:
Schedule for Pinehills customers (Two days per week)
| Last Digit of Your Address Number | Non-essential outdoor water use is allowed only at the following times |
|---|---|
| 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 (even numbers) | Sunday and Wednesday Before 7:00 am and after 7:00 pm |
| 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9 (odd numbers) | Saturday and Tuesday Before 7:00 am and after 7:00 pm |
| No address number | Sunday and Wednesday Before 7:00 am and after 7:00 pm |
Schedule for Ponds of Plymouth customers (One day per week)
Non-essential outdoor water usage is restricted by the Water Management Act Permit to one day per week due to the combination of drought conditions declared by the state and historically high water usage in the Ponds of Plymouth system, as measured by residential gallons per capital per day (rgpcd). Water usage has ranged from 87 to 106 rgcpd from 2017 to 2024, which exceeds the state standard of 65 rgcpd.
| Last Digit of Your Address Number | Non-essential outdoor water use is allowed only at the following times |
|---|---|
| 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 (even numbers) | Sunday Before 9:00 am and after 5:00 pm |
| 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9 (odd numbers) | Saturday Before 9:00 am and after 5:00 pm |
| No address number | Sunday Before 9:00 am and after 5:00 pm |
For the latest information about this mandatory schedule, visit www.aquarionwater.com/watering.
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About Aquarion Water Company
Aquarion Water Company is the public water supply and wastewater treatment company for more than 780,000 people in 73 cities and towns in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. It is the largest investor-owned water utility in New England and among the seven largest in the U.S. Based in Bridgeport, CT, Aquarion has been in the public water supply business since 1857. Across its operations, Aquarion strives to act as a responsible steward of the environment and to assist the communities it serves in promoting sustainable practices. Aquarion Water Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eversource.