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 Hingham, Hull, and North Cohasset Customers
(In effect from April 15, 2019 to October 15, 2019)
| Last Digit of Your Address Number | Please Water Only On: |
| 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8 (even numbers) | Sunday & Wednesday |
| 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9 (odd numbers) | Saturday & Tuesday |
| No address number | Sunday & Wednesday |
The 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 April 15 thru October 15.
The restrictions apply only to irrigation systems and hose-end sprinklers.
Customers with odd number street addresses may only water on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and those with even number street addresses may only water on Wednesdays and Sundays.
On these assigned days, customers are allowed to water before 10 a.m. and after 6 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 Massachusetts and Connecticut, including for the communities of Hingham, Hull, and north Cohasset.
Irrigation restrictions are just one of the solutions that the Company is implementing as part of its water resource management program. For its system serving Hingham, Hull, and north Cohasset, Aquarion is also evaluating adding to our water supply by implementing “flood skimming”. This process involves diverting excess water from Accord Brook and storing it in our existing kettle ponds and Fulling Mill Pond. This stored water would then be managed and released during periods of low stream flow in the summer to augment the flow of the Weir River. Aquarion is working closely with the Weir River Watershed Association and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) to evaluate whether this unique solution can provide both a benefit to the environment (in terms of healthy stream flows) while also allowing for increased withdrawals from our existing water supply sources located in the Weir River Watershed.
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.
For Millbury Customers
Mandatory Water Restrictions Begin May 1
Aquarion Water Company announced the activation of the company’s Mandatory Water Restrictions program for all Millbury customers effective May 1, 2019.
Under these restrictions, nonessential outdoor water use is not allowed between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Nonessential water use includes irrigation of lawns by sprinklers and automatic irrigation systems; washing of vehicles; and washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, and driveways. Use of a hand held hose for plants and gardens is allowed.
Outdoor water use is only allowed between 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. on an odd/even water schedule, with odd numbered street addresses allowed to water on odd numbered days and even numbered street addresses allowed to water on even numbered days.
Under Aquarion’s Rules and Regulations approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, failure to comply with this mandatory restriction program will first result in a written warning. Subsequent violations can result in the discontinuance of water service with a termination and restoration fee.
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 other outdoor chores
For more information about these water restrictions or our customer water conservation programs, please contact us at 1-800-928-3734.
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.
Millbury Customers: We are temporarily not accepting applications.
Hingham, Hull and Cohasset Customers: No more applications are being accepted.
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
Questions?
Customers in Hingham, Hull and North Cohasset should call 781-740-6692
Customers in Millbury and Oxford should call 508-865-3998 or email conservationoffers@aquarionwater.com