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Lynn City water officials say reservoirs at 88%, state registration conditions prompt watering restrictions
Summary
City water staff told the Lynn City Water & Sewer Commission that reservoirs were at about 88% and a state-conditioned registration statement and revised DEP water-management rules prompted a limited nighttime watering allowance and an unenforced warning-first ticketing approach for violations.
City water staff told the Lynn City Water & Sewer Commission on a monthly update that Lynn’s water supply reservoirs were at about 88% and that new state-conditioned registration statements and revised Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) water-management regulations have led to a local watering restriction.
The restriction moved the city from a stricter “level 2” limit to a “level 1” condition that allows watering one night a week during overnight hours, city staff said. ‘‘The water supply capacity as of yesterday was at 88%,’’ said Rick, a Water and Sewer staff member. He said the average for this time of year is about 86%.
The restriction stems from registration statements and DEP decisions that condition withdrawals based on task-force data and river advocates’ recommendations, according to staff. Rick said the task force now is using longer pre-set data windows — as long as nine months — which he and others told the commission can keep some communities under restriction even after wet periods. Staff said they are appealing parts of the new regulatory approach.
Commissioners and staff discussed what enforcement would look like if residents violate the watering restrictions. City staff said the policy is to issue a warning on first notice and then a $200 fine for repeat violations. ‘‘Technically, what we do is first time to warn if we if we become aware of it,’’ Rick said. He added that while the city is expected to enforce the restriction, the extent of state enforcement is unclear.
Staff emphasized that local conditions differ from some other users because Lynn withdraws surface water only during a seasonal window and must maintain minimum river flows after pumping. Rick said the city’s main river of concern is the Ipswich River and described river flows as much higher than average on the day he reported, noting local waterways were saturated and some trails and normally dry areas were seeping water.
Commissioners asked how residents would be notified. Staff said signs were posted at city entryways and information was placed on the city website with a link to the DEP explanation of the regulation. Staff also said some water uses remain exempt, including athletic fields and certain community needs.
Why it matters: The registration statements and DEP actions affect the city’s ability to withdraw water for treatment and supply. Staff said the conditioned statements are tied to the city’s capacity to take water from regional basins and that jeopardizing those registrations would threaten the utility’s operations.
City staff said the DEP update could be revisited in about two weeks based on recent rainfall and task-force deliberations. No formal policy change or vote took place at the meeting; commissioners held the update and asked for additional information and outreach so residents are aware of the restriction and the city’s warning-first enforcement approach.
