New Outdoor Water Conservation Measures effective July 1

Important Notice

Please Conserve Water

The Ayer DPW is dedicated to providing a reliable water supply today and protecting that supply for the future.  In order to safeguard the Town’s drinking water resources, the Town is asking everyone to conserve water and comply with the following Outdoor Water Conservation Measures beginning July 1, 2023 and until further notice:

• Mandatory – No Outdoor Water Use Monday through Friday.
• Mandatory – No Outdoor Water Use between 9AM and 5PM on any day.
• Mandatory – Odd / Even Outdoor Water Use Allowed on Saturday and Sunday from 5PM to 9AM (even numbered street addresses may water on even numbered dates and odd numbered addresses may water on odd numbered dates).
• Mandatory – All Town properties are banned from all Outdoor Water Use.
• Voluntary – Curb outside water use and conserve water as much as possible.
• Handheld watering is not restricted but discouraged between 9AM and 5PM.

Outdoor Water Use is defined as an automatic irrigation system or non-handheld sprinkler system.  Handheld watering is defined as physically hand holding the hose or watering can.

The need for these conservation measures is not driven by the weather this year.  The need for conservation is because of production capacity issues at our treatment facilities.  For more information regarding the issue and the solution, please click here.

The Ayer DPW will be monitoring outside water use and will be enforcing the mandatory conservation measures with ticketing / fines / water shut-off for violations.

All Town employees are the enforcement agents authorized to implement the Water Conservation Measures. 

Enforcement of the Outdoor Water Conservation Measures is as follows:

• 1st Violation – Written Warning
• 2nd Violation - $50.00 fine
• 3rd Violation - $200.00 fine
• 4th Violation - $300.00 fine and reduction in water availability to allow for basic water needs.

Please do your part to maintain this valuable resource.  Follow us on social media for more information and conservation tips. Use the hashtag #waterwednesdays

If you have questions about this notice or about these Mandatory Water Conservation Measures, please contact Kimberly Abraham, Water and Sewer Superintendent at 978-772-8240 or kabraham@ayer.ma.us.