State to tighten water use

As Boston's western suburbs have grown, their demand for water has grown, too.

Now, concerned that the region's supply is being stretched too thin, state officials are preparing to set new limits on water use in a number of communities along the Charles River, including Bellingham, Dover, Franklin, Holliston, Medway, Medfield, Milford, Millis, Natick, Norfolk , and Wrentham.

The new standards, which are expected to hit the communities over the next several months, could mean tighter restrictions on nonessential water use.

State regulators and environmental activists say restrictions are necessary in the towns, which draw water from the same underground sources that feed the Charles, to preserve the area's drinking-water supply in the face of continued development.

``For us to continue to grow, we're going to have to use water more efficiently," said Duane LeVangie , an official who oversees water resources for the state Department of Environmental Protection.

But many local officials are fighting back, arguing that the new rules will do little to replenish the regional water supply and will cost communities time and money. Many also say they were not properly consulted when the state was drawing up the rules.

``Because they can regulate us, we're taking a hit," said Mark Flaherty , water superintendent in Medway. ``Reducing the pumping is not going to bring the river back up again."

Lawn watering in some communities could be allowed only two days of the week or less. Along with lawn-watering limits, the state's new guidelines also call for communities to restrict their water usage to an average of 65 gallons per person per day (80 gallons in communities where the water basin is considered less stressed) and to reduce the amount of water that is ``lost" through leaky pipes or imprecise metering.

The issue has drawn concern from local lawmakers. State Senator Edward Augustus , a Worcester Democrat whose district includes Shrewsbury and Upton, is calling for creation of a committee to review the new rules.

The president of the Massachusetts Water Works Association, a group of about 1,300 industry professionals, said the group believes that the Department of Environmental Protection is not taking into account the individual concerns of communities, including seaside towns that have higher populations during the summer.

James Marshall , the group's president and the water and sewer superintendent in Plainville, said he would like to see some of those issues addressed by the proposed committee.

But Margaret Van Deusen , deputy director of the Charles River Watershed Association, which supports the new rules, said she believes additional review is unnecessary. She calls the new standards ``achievable."

Environmental activists have said lower water flows in the river, partly a result of increased water use, are unhealthy for wildlife and lead to a lack of diversity in the fish population.

While many town officials question why concerns about wildlife win out over concerns about people, Van Deusen said lower water flows also are a sign that the groundwater, the underground water that feeds wells, is being depleted.

``That's a good indicator of the condition of the water supply," she said.

In Medfield, Town Administrator Michael Sullivan said he wonders why the state is trying to rein in water use at the same time it's formulating plans to build hundreds of housing units on the Medfield State Hospital property. Sullivan said he is frustrated by what he calls a lack of communication at the state level.

``We say, `Have you talked to the agencies that want to provide housing?' " he said.

Sullivan, who said Medfield has done a lot to conserve water, argued that if residents are not allowed to water their lawns, many will obtain water from private wells, which are not regulated like the public supply. That, in turn, will drive up rates for those who remain on the public system, he said.

Joe Ferson, a spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Protection, said that the total amount of water a community is using will be examined during the permit process. But he added that communities might be allowed to draw more water if they could justify the additional use.

Bellingham's public works director , Don DiMartino , estimated his water department could lose as much as $250,000 a year in revenue if it has to restrict the amount of water it pumps. He noted that the department has fixed costs and might have to increase rates to make up for the shortfall.

The town has already invested money in fixing leaks and meters to cut down on lost water, and usage currently runs just over 65 gallons per person per day .

``I'm not sure what else we can do," DiMartino said.

Officials in o ther towns said the new guidelines will have less of an effect in their communities.

Franklin already restricts its residents to lawn watering one day a week, said its public works director , Brutus Cantoreggi , and has kept residential usage in check. ``I believe there's always going to be room for conservation."

LeVangie, of the state DEP, acknowledged that enforcing water restrictions can be difficult but he said he believes many people understand the need for conservation and will obey the rules.

``The most effective measure is peer pressure."

And if people don't comply, some communities will be ready. Holliston has installed a computerized system that will allow the town to closely monitor usage, said water superintendent Ron Sharpin . Like many communities, Holliston limits watering on an odd-even street address basis.

``If you're living in an odd-numbered house and you're watering on an even day, we'll know it," he said.