Newport
The Selectboard approved the restrictions earlier this week. Filling pools, watering lawns or gardens, washing vehicles and hosing down paved surfaces now are prohibited.
“We have a serious situation and we are asking for everyone to help,” Public Works Director Larry Wiggins said on Wednesday.
In early August, the town imposed voluntary restrictions, but those had no discernible effect, Wiggins said.
The town’s primary water source is Gilman Pond in Unity with a well in Pollards Mill at the southern end of town. Wiggins said the town has been using the well more often in an attempt to offset the decrease at Gilman Pond, but that has not been successful.
He said the depth of the water in the pond over the outlet grate, where the water is pumped to the treatment plant, is 44 inches, less than half the depth it should be in a normal year.
Asked about enforcement of the restrictions and possible fines, Wiggins said that would require the passage of an ordinance, which might come at some point, but that takes time, and the town did not want to wait before imposing the restrictions because of the urgency of the situation.
In Claremont, interim Public Works Director Scott Sweet said the city remains in “good shape,” with its reservoirs mostly full. But conservation is a good idea, he said.
“My suggestion is that people use common sense (when it comes to water use),” he said.
Newport also is restricting the fire department’s use of water in training and no longer watering town properties.
In Vermont, the village of Jeffersonville — just north of Mount Mansfield — is asking water customers to conserve water because of the drought. The springs that feed water into the village’s system have dropped significantly, village trustees said.
Suggestions to conserve water include checking for leaks in pipes and toilets, not running the faucet while washing hands, taking shorter showers and using the dishwasher and washer only with full loads.
