Mandatory water restrictions announced – The Local Ne.ws

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IPSWICH After a winter with no snowpack and a sudden dry spell, it is now time to worry about water.

Town manager Tony Marino told the select board on Monday that water levels were dropping.

He and Vicki Halmen, director of water and wastewater, then announced on Tuesday mandatory water restrictions that ban a lot of outdoor uses (see below).

The restrictions are based on the towns drought management plan.

Mandatory restrictions are put in place during a moderate drought, the plan says. This is the third of five stages in the plan and happens when the reservoir is between 75% and 60% of normal conditions.

The National Weather Service said 2020s rainfall is almost 3.5 inches below normal.

The restrictions are meant to combat the strain on water supply caused by the lack of rain, decreased reservoir storage, increased water demand, and reduced flow of the Ipswich River, Halmen and Marino said in their announcement.

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Selectperson Kerry Mackin noted the restrictions came earlier in the year than they normally do, and added that water flow in the Ipswich and Parker rivers were very low.

USGS readings show the river is near 40% of its flow rate for this time of year.

Its very dangerous for the ecological health of the rivers, Mackin said.

Selectperson Linda Alexson wanted to know if restrictions would apply to new developments in town. Marino said they would.

We urge everyone to comply with the restrictions to ensure an adequate water supply through the summer, said Halmen. If these restrictions are not effective and rainfall is insufficient, a water ban prohibiting all outside water use will be imposed.

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Mandatory water restrictions announced - The Local Ne.ws