Acting as Water Commissioners, Duxbury selectmen this week declared a voluntary outdoor watering ban, effective immediately.

The watering restrictions have been enacted a month or two earlier than usual. Last year, selectmen ordered the ban in July; in past years, it was in June.

Selectmen voted unanimously for the ban without discussion.

The lack of rain this spring prompted Water Superintendent Peter Mackin to ask for the voluntary ban in order to preserve the quality of the town’s drinking water and to maintain the water supply for fire protection.

“I realize that it’s early this year, usually we do it in June or July,” said Mackin. “The state Department of Environmental Protection has been in contact with me and has asked that we enact a voluntary ban at this point due to the very dry conditions.”

The purpose of the restrictions is to prevent overtaxing of the town’s water system when the demand for water increases in the warmer months. When residents use more water for their lawns and pools, the town cannot always meet the demand by pumping water out of the system, so it must turn to using the water stored in its tanks. This can lead to pressure issues for residents and for the fire department. Also, it can cause dirty water when sediment is stirred up in the water pipes.

Town Manager Richard MacDonald expects that residents will comply, as they have previously.

“We do this every year and most residents are aware of this,” said MacDonald. “Given the dryness we’ve had, we’re expecting a lot of water use, so we’re asking for a voluntary ban, and hopefully we won’t have to have a mandatory ban. The residents have been very consistent in working with us for the voluntary ban.”

The restrictions, which have become routine over the past few years, follow the usual summer water ban rules: odd numbered houses are restricted to watering on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and even numbered homes are restricted to watering on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. No watering is allowed on Sundays. Watering can take place between 5-8 a.m. and between 5-8 p.m. 

Duxbury has not enacted mandatory watering restrictions in many years. Under a mandatory ban, the water department can issue fines: a $50 ticket for the first offense and a $100 ticket for each subsequent offense.