MA Irrigation FAQs
Responsible watering starts here
People across the world are putting water high on the list of things to use more efficiently, especially given the large fluctuations in the amount of rain and snow we receive. Plus, of course, the finite nature of the water supply and the essential role it plays in human, economic and environmental well-being.
In the communities shown below, residents are saving millions of gallons of water each year by following a mandatory schedule for sprinkler irrigation.
Drip irrigation, soaker hoses, and hand-held watering are allowed at any time. Some residential and commercial customers may qualify for a variance from the schedule.
Massachusetts Towns Participating in Irrigation Conservation
For Millbury Customers
(In effect from May 1, 2020 to October 15, 2020)
| Last Digit of Your Address Number | Please Water Only On: |
| 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8 (even numbers) | Even-numbered days |
| 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9 (odd numbers) | Odd-numbered days |
| No address number | Even-numbered days |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
These water restrictions have been established pursuant to Aquarion’s Rules and Regulations, as approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities:
- Water restrictions are in effect from May 1 thru October 15.
- The restrictions apply only to irrigation systems and hose-end sprinklers.
- Customers with odd number street addresses may only water on odd-numbered days, and those with even number street addresses may only water on even-numbered days.
- On these assigned days, customers are allowed to water before 8 a.m. and after 5 p.m., when evaporation losses will be minimized and more water goes to the plants’ roots.
Visit http://www.nsrwa.org/watersmart/greenscapes/ for tips on lawn and garden care. According to Greenscapes:
- Grass grows the deepest and healthiest roots with infrequent watering.
- Watering two days a week is more than adequate to have a beautiful lawn. In fact, research has shown that grass thrives with about an inch of rain a week - some supplied by Mother Nature and the rest by just one watering.
You can also visit our Lawn and Garden Irrigation Tips page.
Historically, when the demand for water increased in a community, the water industry considered only one solution: construct a new water supply (a well, a reservoir, or an interconnection with another community). Forward-thinking water utilities and community leaders have now come to recognize that prudent use of these precious resources is also part of the solution; in part, because spending money on new water supplies will result in higher water rates and conservation is simply better for the environment.
With this new approach, Aquarion, like many other environmentally conscious utilities, has begun implementing annual irrigation restrictions in some of the communities it serves in Connecticut and Massachusetts, including the community of Millbury.
Through the Water Management Act, MassDEP regulates the amount of water that all water suppliers in Massachusetts can withdraw from the environment. Like all other water suppliers, Aquarion has an annual limit that it can withdraw from its sources. In recent years, Aquarion’s water withdrawals have been safely below this limit. Our customers’ commitment to these irrigation restrictions will help ensure that this positive trend continues.
Water Conservation Offers
For Our Millbury And Oxford Customers
Please click on the links below to begin the qualification process for our water conservation offers.
- Toilet / Showerhead / Faucet Aerator Replacement Program Application
- High Efficiency Washing Machine Rebate Application
- Conservation Audit Application (For commercial accounts as well as residential customers in the top 10 percent tier of water consumption)
- Lawn Irrigation System Removal Reimbursement Application
Note: We are temporarily not accepting applications for Millbury customers.
Questions?
Customers in Millbury and Oxford should call 508-865-3998 or email conservationoffers@aquarionwater.com