Residents asked to keep conserving water as town remains in drought

Wareham remains in a significant drought more than two weeks after the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection placed the Southeast region of the state in a Level 2 Significant Drought status. 

After the drought status change in late June, the Wareham and Onset Water Departments both asked residents not to use irrigation systems and only to use handheld hoses or watering cans for outdoor watering after 5 p.m. or before 9 a.m. Both departments said water levels are not currently low, but asked residents to follow the drought restrictions.

The town's water departments are taking similar approaches to enforce the rule. 

Wareham Water Department Superintendent Roy Maher said the Wareham Water Department stops by the homes of residents who disobey water restrictions and asks them to follow the rules. He said the department understands that some people are going to still overuse water but that most residents are "very reasonable."

Onset Water Department Superintendent David Candeias said his department has a similar policy. When its crew is out around town doing work orders, they note the homes that are not following the water restrictions and follow up with them. 

Beyond local watering restrictions, Wareham and Onset haven't yet seen impacts on local water levels. 

Candeias said that Onset is "very lucky" to be near the ocean and toward the end of the aquifer that covers the town. According to Candeias, the aquifer's water flows toward the ocean and the Onset department hasn't noticed any issues in water levels as of right now.

Maher said that Wareham has a "very robust aquifer" and does not have a shortage of water right now. He added that the town's wells alert the department if they reach a "critical" low level, which they have not yet. 

Maher still asked residents to be responsible with water use and to conserve it as much as possible. 

According to the state Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, the drought designation comes with two years of below-average rainfall and declining groundwater levels across Massachusetts. Municipalities are asked to limit water use outdoors, fix toilet and faucet leaks, take shorter showers and run dishwashers and washing machines only with a full load. 

The significant drought status continues to cover the entire state.