If you’re running a sprinkler during the day in Henniker, watch out because it could lead to a fine or, worse, no water at all.
The Northeast drought continues with no sign of relief, and the water department in Henniker is cracking down on those who violate the town’s water regulations, which restrict lawn and garden watering to the evening.
“Usually when things start getting dry, folks like their green lawns and they water excessively,” said Henniker Water Superintendent Norman Bumford. “Sometimes they need a reminder saying they can’t do that.”
The state Department of Environmental Services released a statement Wednesday urging residents across New Hampshire to be mindful of their water consumption. DES reported more than 100 public water systems in the state have implemented outdoor water use restrictions and bans.
A note was posted on Henniker’s website July 27 warning customers of Cogswell Spring Water Works, the town’s municipal water supplier, that daily water consumption has been too high and department personnel would be monitoring outdoor usage. A first offense results in a warning, but repeated violations could lead to a heavier penalty, including termination of service.
Bumford has to first meet with the town’s water commissioners, elected officials in charge of governing the water service, to finalize the penalties.
The water level has dropped about a foot and a half in the town’s wells during this dry period, which Bumford said is concerning but not dangerous. He’s hoping for more rain like last weekend to cut down on daily consumption.
But until then, residents may want to consider if a lush lawn is worth the risk of a penalty.
“I’ve been here 28 years, and this is the first year we are going to have to go out and do some enforcement,” Bumford said. “We’ve never had to (set a fine) before.”
New Hampshire, like much of the Northeast, had a dry fall, relatively snow-free winter and then below-average precipitation in April and May before the hot, dry July. The National Weather Service measurement at Concord airport has measured almost one-quarter less rain and snowfall than normal through the end of July.
The National Weather Service was warning of “abnormally dry” conditions in parts of the state as early as May, and now says most of Southeast New Hampshire is in “severe drought,” the second-highest of four levels of drought. Central New Hampshire up through the Concord region is classified as being in “moderate drought,” the first category of drought under federal standards.
The drought does not seem to be letting up any time soon. At a July meeting of the state Drought Management Team, State Climatologist Mary Stampone “indicated that relief was not in the near future and drought conditions will likely persist into the fall,” according to a press release.
The last significant drought to hit the state was between 2001 and 2003, according to DES. Since then, changes have been made at the local and state level to better manage dry conditions.
“Lessons have been learned from past droughts and tools have been put in place to avoid water shortage emergencies, but we really are at the mercy of the weather,” said Stacey Herbold of the DES Water Conservation Program.
“The fact is there is nothing we can do to replenish our water supplies. There is no rainmaker,” she said. “For now, the best we can do is limit our use to essentials and let the lawn go dormant until rainier days come.”
Usage restrictions were first imposed by public water systems in Southern New Hampshire. Salem, which depends on Canobie Lake for its drinking water, imposed outdoor watering restrictions a month ago – its first such move in 14 years – and is preparing to impose bans with hefty fines.
Closer to home, having a lake is usually helpful. Andover Village District, for instance, draws its drinking water from Bradley Lake.
“Knock on wood, no problems,” said Andover Town Administrator Marjorie Roy.
Similarly, the city of Concord uses Penacook Lake for its drinking water, and it has a backup connection to the Contoocook River.
It has asked residents to conserve water, although no restrictions have been put in place.
In Franklin, three public water sources service about two-thirds of the population along with some 300 fire hydrants. City Manager Elizabeth Dragon said in spite of the drought, there are no concerns of a water shortage.
“We have plenty,” Dragon said, adding that in her eight years with the city she has never heard concerns of a water shortage.
In Contoocook, water restrictions have been established in the past, but refined facilities have helped the village get through this particularly dry summer.
“With the new tank off Hopkinton Road and the town putting in a well to irrigate the fields at George’s Park this year, there have not been any issues,” Town Administrator Neal Cass wrote in an email.
Residents in Henniker have not fully responded to the notice asking to cut back on water consumption. Still, Bumford, the town’s water superintendent, has seen people watering their yards in the middle of the day. The first notice, posted in July, didn’t seem to have the effect he expected. A second notice will come out shortly.
“The first notice, people usually abide by it,” Bumford said. “This time, people are creeping back in.”
(Nick Stoico can be reached at 369-3309, nstoico@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @NickStoico. David Brooks can be reached at 369-3313, dbrooks@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @GraniteGeek.)
