OUTDOOR WATERING BAN CALLED BY STATE: LINCOLN GOES TO STAGE 4 WATERING RESTRICTION

On July 21, with the majority of the state currently experiencing elevated temperatures and forecasts predicting little to no meaningful precipitation, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Beth Card declared a Level 3-Critical Drought in the Northeast and Central Regions of the state.

This means Lincoln Water Department is moving to Lincoln’s Stage 4 Drought Protocol, our highest level. We revised our Stage 4 this spring to bring it into compliance with the state protocols. Stage 4 now stipulates:

>>>NO NON-ESSENTIAL OUTDOOR WATERING, NOT EVEN HAND WATERING<<<

NOTE: Agricultural watering for commercial farming is considered essential

OUTDOOR WATERING BAN EXCEPTIONS

In order to accommodate special situations, at the Water Commission meeting on Friday July 29, the Commissioners voted the following exceptions:

• All special water use only between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.
• Vegetable gardens may be hand-watered as needed, since they fall under the state food production exemption. 
• The town pool, tennis courts, and playing fields may get the minimum amount of water needed to ensure they can continue to operate However, the toddler fountain at Codman Pool will be turned off. Look into using a liquid chemical solar cover. 
• Recently planted landscaping that needs more frequent watering to become established may be watered by hand or with drip irrigation as required, preferably just once a week. No new flora may be planted during this time. Use water bags on trees
• Conservation agencies (i.e., the Conservation Commission and the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust), which install and maintain native plants to keep invasive species at bay, may also water those plants as needed.
• Power washing houses and decks is not allowed, nor is window washing using water spray, but if a painting or repair job has already been scheduled or is underway, the homeowner may ask the Water Department for an individual exemption.
• Please also do your best to reduce indoor water use. Capture wastewater, such as running the faucet to get hot water, laundry rinse water, cooking water to use on outdoor non-edible plants.