Harwich Water Department News & Events Archive

Voluntary Summer Water Conservation Program

Over the last several years, along with an exceptionally hot summer, the northeast and especially Cape Cod suffered from some of the worst rainfall shortages of recent years. Combined with increased summer demand, along with our aging water distribution system and minimal storage, a mandatory water restriction was imposed in Harwich. While the fall and winter precipitation have been helpful in restoring our water table, it takes at least 2 to 3 years of this type of precipitation to bring our water levels back to normal.

We are asking all of our customers to do their part in following the Phase I voluntary watering program put in place this summer. This will be an odd, even voluntary program. If everyone adheres to this voluntary status and we are helped by Mother Nature, we should be able to maintain our pumping demands without adding additional stress to our wellfields. If however, customers disregard their responsibility and we begin to add too much stress to our wells, the Board of Water Commissioners will impose the Phase II level. The highest level is Phase III, which is a total ban on all outside water use. This is never an approach taken lightly, however, public safety and a sufficient supply of potable water is our primary responsibility.

We will advise you of changes in phase levels as the season progresses through local newspapers, signs in strategic locations and Channel 18. We will begin with Phase I-VOLUNTARY.

We thank you for your cooperation and support in making sure that our natural resource and pumping needs can be met.

Summer Water Conservation Program Effective May 15, 2003 through September 30, 2003

Water only between the hours of 4:00 -9:00 AM and 7:00 -10:00 PM

Follow an odd/even schedule based on house numbering and dates of calendar Example: If your house is #5 you may water on Mon. Wed. Fri. etc. If your house is #2 you may water on Tues. Thurs. Sat. etc. No watering on Sunday

Phase I - Voluntary
If all our water customers follow the above schedule on a voluntary basis, our natural resource and pumping demands should be able to be managed.

Phase II - Mandatory
Based on precipitation, following the scheduled hours will be mandatory with fines imposed if violations occur.

Phase III - Ban
Severe drought conditions, unable to meet pumping demands. No outside water use allowed.

Please contact the Harwich Water Department for additional water conservation information.