Reminder: Check your irrigation system after power outages. Power outages may cause irrigation systems revert to a standard/factory default schedule which may not comply with the watering restrictions.
CURRENT WATERING RESTRICTION:
“YEAR-ROUND ODD/EVEN” is the MINIMUM Restriction. It is ALWAYS in place.
Updates in the Current Watering Restriction will be posted on banners in town, on the sign in front of MVD, on our website at www.mvdwater.org, on the MVD Facebook page as well as on the customer web portal “MyMVD“. Additionally, emails are sent to those who have subscribed to receive notices.
1. To assist in managing the water distribution system – ensuring we maintain adequate supply for residential and commercial usage.
2. Maintain a certain level of water in the storage tanks to ensure ample pressure for potential use by the Town of Merrimack’s Fire Department.
3. Comply with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NH DES) Drinking Water and Groundwater Bureau (DWGB) rules and regulations which requires that water providers to submit and enforce a “Conservation Plan”. By fulfilling these requirements MVD is able to receive Federal and State grants and/or loans for any type of water system improvements.
REASONING
MVD’s water is supplied from groundwater wells, not surface water such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NH DES) Drinking Water and Groundwater Bureau (DWGB) permits each of MVD’s wells to withdraw a maximum specified quantity of water from the ground per minute – this limits the amount of water we are permitted to produce at a time. Limiting the production amount allows water withdrawal from the aquifer in a controlled manner, which helps protect against seasonal fluctuations, and aids in maintaining sufficient supply. Irrigation and sprinklers have the highest rate of water consumption and causes substantially increased demands. Increased demand is supplied by three storage tanks; the tanks cannot fill up faster than what we are allowed to produce – having Water Restrictions allows the tanks to replenish and be ready for peak usage demands.
MVD staff adjusts production rates to match demand and continuously monitors the water distribution system, the weather conditions & forecasts to determine if additional Watering Restrictions are necessary.
Updates in the Current Watering Restriction will be posted on banners in town, on the sign in front of MVD, on our website at www.mvdwater.org as well as our Facebook page and on the customer web portal “MyMVD“. Additionally, emails are sent to those who have subscribed to receive notices.
Please be advised – MVD’s watering restrictions are strictly enforced. Per MVD By-Law 1.D.: The first violation will result in a warning letter. Further violations will result in termination of water service as well as fees (refer to MVD By-Laws 2.D. and 2.J.).
RESTRICTION LEVELS & DETAILS
There are FOUR Restriction Levels as follows:
ALL LEVELS ARE BASED ON THE STREET NUMBER & THE CALENDAR DATE.
Street Addresses ENDING with ODD numbers = ODD Calendar Dates. Street Addresses ENDING with EVEN numbers = EVEN Calendar Days. Condo Units – Please contact your Property Management Company for details.
Address/Date Examples: 1234 Example St = Water on the 2nd, 4th, 6th, etc… 1235 Example St = Water on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, etc…
ADDRESS/DATE SCHEDULE “YEAR-ROUND ODD/EVEN” is the minimum restriction. It is ALWAYS in place.
NOTE: On the 31st of March, May, July, August, and October ALL Address are permitted to water BETWEEN 5:00 AM-8:00AM ONLY.
ODD/EVEN – TWICE PER DAY
Mornings: ONLY BETWEEN 5:00 AM-8:00 AM Evenings: ONLY BETWEEN 5:00 PM-8:00 PM
i. Washing of streets, driveways, sidewalks or other impervious areas is prohibited. ii. Washing of cars and boats at a non-commercial facility shall be restricted to odd/even dates by address/calendar dates as described above.
ODD/EVEN – ONCE PER DAY ONLY BETWEEN 5:00 AM-8:00 AM
i. Washing of streets, driveways, sidewalks or other impervious areas is prohibited. ii. Washing of cars and boats at a non-commercial facility shall be prohibited.
NO OUTSIDE WATERING USE
Exceptions to Restrictions:
i. Hand irrigation of crops used for food by residents at a residential property shall not be restricted.
ii. Water to sustain animal life shall not be restricted.
iii. Commercial Pressure Washing businesses that are registered and in good standing with the State of NH as listed in the records on file with the NH Secretary of State shall not be restricted unless deemed necessary by either the MVD Board of Commissioners, the Superintendent, the Business Manager, or their designee(s).
iv. Despite the authority granted by RSA 41:11-d. water use restrictions shall not apply to uses that obtain water from sources other than the public water supply, unless it can be clearly demonstrated that the use of such water directly affects the public water supply. Note: Municipalities or village districts have the authority to implement lawn watering restrictions in accordance with RSA 41:11-d applicable to all water users (including those using private wells) under state declared drought conditions.
