Worcester keeps water restrictions as reservoirs dwindle; state downgrades region

WORCESTER — Water restrictions will remain in the city at least until the end of October as levels dropped across the city’s 10 reservoirs this week.

The city Department of Public Works and Parks (DPW&P) measured the reservoirs to be at 62.4% capacity last Sunday, even as the state has recorded increased rainfall averages.

This is a downtrend that started in May that is below the 24-year average for the city, according to data from the city’s website.

While the city considers 55% as the minimum for a Stage 1 drought, Jay Fink, DPW&P commissioner, painted a more positive picture, drawing attention to the precipitation and temperature pattern.

“We won’t know until the end of the month, but chances are that not before too long we'll probably be pulling the restrictions,” said Fink. “This time of year we start to see that the levels in the reservoir level off and then start to rise as we get into the winter."

The DPW&P uses 26 million gallons of water per day from the reservoirs, while little went back during the summer because of low rainfall.

The DPW&P placed the public under Stage 1 water-use restrictions in August when the reservoir water levels were at 72%.

Since then, measures have been in effect between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., when irrigation systems are not allowed to operate.

The city demands that the irrigation systems should only be used to the extent necessary for the rest of the day and must be adjusted to ensure water reaches plants and lawns and is not wasted elsewhere.

The public is also advised not to let water run in kitchens and bathroom sinks more than necessary and not let the hose run while washing a car and filling dishwashers before running them.

The state Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA) placed the central region under a Level 1 mild drought Oct. 7, after higher average rainfall was recorded since August.

Under the designation, the EOEEA suggests that the public and municipalities reduce water use by limiting faucets and showers to no more than 60% of indoor use and to limit outdoor watering to one day a week at most.

The EOEEA also downgraded other areas, with the western region coming down to a Level 0 normal designation.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester to remain in stage 1 drought status even though state downgraded the county from level 3 to level 1