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Westerly council adopts emergency odd/even outdoor-water restriction after state-side main break
Summary
Facing high summer demand and a state-side four-inch main failure, the council adopted a 61‑day emergency ordinance imposing odd/even outdoor-watering rules and a $100 fine per violation; the town manager said the problem was pumping/distribution capacity, not groundwater supply.
Westerly’s Town Council on July 13 adopted an emergency ordinance implementing an odd/even outdoor-watering restriction after hearing that a combination of heavy summer demand, a tank taken offline for maintenance and a separate four-inch main failure on state property strained the town’s pumping capacity.
Town Manager Lacey told the council the town’s storage tanks hold about 3,000,000 gallons total and the system’s practical pumping capacity in summer is roughly 6,200,000 gallons per day; consumption commonly runs above 5,000,000 gallons per day in summer. He said one Bradford storage tank was unavailable until the town received clearance from the state to put it back into service, and that a main break on an adjacent state-owned portion of the system had been leaking an estimated 275,000 gallons an hour when it occurred.
“These events combined to create a perfect storm over the July 4 period,” Town Manager Lacey said, describing why the town moved from short-term, manual curbs to the emergency ordinance. He emphasized that the town has plentiful groundwater but is limited by how much it can pump and deliver through its distribution and booster-station infrastructure.
The ordinance the council adopted was written as a 61‑day emergency measure (the manager said the town uses that duration for prior emergency ordinances) that requires residents to water outdoors only on alternating days by address. The town manager explained enforcement steps taken during the restriction period: police officers will inspect sprinkler systems during overnight hours and the town has notified sprinkler-service companies to adjust programming for systems on odd/even schedules.
Councilors pressed for specifics on enforcement and penalties. The manager said the ordinance includes a $100 fine for individual violations and described the approach as educational first, enforced as needed. Councilor LaPietra asked whether a $100 fine would deter owners of high-value lawns; other members raised the difficulty of enforcing commercial customers and properties on private wells (about 15% of the town). The manager noted commercial operations with dedicated meters or private irrigation wells are not subject to the residential ban.
Looking past the emergency measure, the council heard that the town has budgeted funds for a well‑location study and will seek consultant recommendations for additional pumping and booster-station capacity. The manager cautioned that permitting, siting and constructing a new well or major infrastructure changes takes years and significant capital.
The council moved, seconded and approved the emergency odd/even ordinance on a voice vote during the meeting.
The ordinance is effective immediately as an emergency measure; the council placed longer-term capacity upgrades and a consultant-driven well study on the town’s implementation agenda.
