 Even/Odd Outdoor Watering Policy
Every year between May 1st and October 31st, the Water Department encourages residents to comply with the voluntary Even/Odd Outdoor Watering Policy.
Properties with even numbered street addresses may water on even days of the month and properties with odd numbered street addresses may water on odd days of the month. The policy can be found in the General Bylaws of the Town under Chapter 169 and the section related to outdoor water use is section 169.7 section D through H. Water quantities that can be taken from the local aquifer are regulated by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) by pumping limits on each well and also by the Water Management Act.
Water conservation during the summer months is important as water demand increases dramatically and public water suppliers are restricted on how much can be pumped from wells on a daily basis. Should the demand exceed the supply, the Board of Water Commissioners have the authority to declare a state of water emergency and take additional steps to limit outdoor water use to insure that we have enough water for drinking and fire protection.
When people are reported in violation of the volunteer policy, they are sent a letter explaining the policy and requesting that they adhere to it. Because most people do adhere to the policy, the Westford Water Department has been able to meet the demand even during dry periods to date. However, if everyone ignored the policy, the results might be different. Established lawns only need 1 inch of water per week. Over watering actually creates a weak grass plant with shallow roots that cannot tolerate drought or pests.
Our primary conservation goal is to educate the public about how valuable water is as a natural resource and to instill a sense of responsibility to have people think about how much water they use. The water conservation policy does help to bring water use to the public’s attention and make people think about water use when they turn on the tap. DEP recommends that all towns have a water conservation policy and that towns work to keep their per capita use per day between 65 and 80 gallons per person per day.
All of the Town’s public water supply is from the Stony Brook and Beaver Brook Aquifers. It is important to remember that any water resource can be influenced by public and private use, human and animal activities, and surface and ground water quality.
What You Can Do To Help Conserve Water!
(And Lower Your Water Bills!)
Inside your home:
Check for leaks from all pipes, sinks, toilets, etc.
Turn off the faucet while brushing teeth .
Take shorter showers or shallow baths.
Only run the dishwasher or washing machine when it’s full.
Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator. Then you won’t have to run the faucet to cool it.
Purchase WaterSense Certified appliances and other products (see information provided below)
Outside your home:
Check outside hoses, faucets, and automatic sprinklers for leaks.
Water lawns only when needed (only need about an inch of water a week!)
Water lawns early or late in the day.
Minimize the size of your lawns.
Xeriscape! - Create landscapes that incorporate plants that require little water/are drought tolerant.
Use a broom to sweep your driveway, garage, or sidewalk instead of using water.
Use a bucket of water to wash your car or bike and only rinse quickly with a hose.
Please remember to only water according to the Even/Odd Outdoor Watering Policy which is effect from May 1st through October 31st every year.
Free Water Conservation Devices
AVAILABLE AT THE WESTFORD WATER DEPARTMENT
Kitchen Faucet Aerator
 This unit has everything; the swivel action, both aerated jet and wide spray and both the full flow and the easy touch flow restrictor. IMPORTANT: turn off at faucet when finished with the water.
Water Conservation tip: Collect cold water from the tap when waiting for water to get warm in watering cans for use in the garden.
Rain Gauge
 Increments both in English and Metric units of measurements up to 2.0 inches Measure rainfall and adjust lawn sprinkling accordingly
Water Conservation tips: Water your lawn only when necessary; early morning, if possible. Lawns only require 1 inch of water/week -- use a rain gauge to determine if your lawn needs additional water. Frequent light watering can weaken the lawn, encouraging shallow roots that are less tolerant of dry periods.
 Water Saving Showerhead
9-Jet Turbo Massage is adjustable: gentle needle spray to forceful jet
Non-aerating spray means less temperature loss
Non-removable flow compensator
Installs easily by hand
Leak Detection Dye Tablets
Detects leaks in toilets, darker color for fast and easy detection. 2 per pack
Drop tablet in the tank and wait a few minutes. If the dye appears in the tank, you have a leak
Garden Hose Nozzle
The water saving design of this Water Miser 6-position Garden Hose Nozzle allows setting the spray pattern independent of the flow rate.
Stainless Steel nozzle with Spray adjustment knob
Rust-resistant, stainless steel latch
6 precision spray patterns: mist, soaker, shower, jet, cone, and flat
Rain Barrels
Order your Rain Barrel from the New England Rain Barrel Company. Call 1-877-977-3135 or visit www.nerainbarrel.com.
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