Mandatory Outdoor Water Ban Enacted in Wenham

All nonessential outdoor water use has been banned in Wenham, effective immediately on Friday.

The announcement was made by Water Superintendent Erik Mansfield and the Wenham Board of Water Commissioners, who said the ban was put in place to comply with state Department of Environmental Protection requirements because of low flows in the Ipswich River.

The ban extends to private wells, in addition to Wenham water customers, and runs until further notice. Violators are subject to a $100 fine for each instance.

A ban is typically enacted each year at about this time.

“Flows in the Ipswich River have fallen below the minimum level deemed necessary to sustain a healthy watershed,” the water ban announcement said.

Outdoor hand watering will continue to be allowed between 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. Other exceptions include “use which are required for health or safety reasons, for the production of food and fiber; for maintenance of livestock or to meet the core functions of a business or as necessary to apply paint, preservatives, stucco, pavement or cement.”

Examples of banned activities include lawn and garden watering, car washing or similar activities.

“We would like to thank all residents for their understanding and cooperation,” Mansfield said in his announcement of the ban.