Mandatory Water Ban Now in Place in Wenham

A complete water ban in now in place in Wenham, barring any nonessential outdoor water use for all residents and businesses, even those with private wells.

Violators can face a fine up to $100.

The announcement was made on Tuesday via a Connect-CTY phone and e-mail message from Interim Wenham Town Administrator Mark Andrews from .

The ban was put in place by the Water Commissioners to meet state Department of Environmental Protection requirements based on low flows in the Ipswich River.

“All nonessential outdoor watering, including but not limited to the use of water for irrigation or automobile and property washing is prohibited,” Andrews said in Tuesday’s announcement. Hand watering is still allowed between 5 p.m. and 9 a.m.

The only uses exempt from the ban are those “required for health or safety reasons; by regulation, for the production of food and fiber; for maintenance of livestock; to meet the core functions of a business or as necessary to apply paint, preservatives, stucco, pavement or cement.”

The water ban is a somewhat of an annual occurrence in Wenham.