Outdoor Watering Limited To Two Nights A Week, With Use At Max

BURLINGTON, MA — Outdoor water use in Burlington is limited to just Tuesday and Saturday evenings, from 6 to 10 p.m.

The Board of Selectmen voted to impose the new restrictions in response to warnings from Public Works Director John Sanchez that the town's water system is at capacity. The town is using 5 million gallons per day, up from 2 million in March, due to unusually dry and hot conditions.

Most of New England is under "abnormally dry conditions," according to the U.S. drought monitor.

Sanchez explained that as the town's water usage is usually 50-50 residential-commercial, his fear is that once businesses open, the demand will exceed the towns capacity.

Over 100 first offense notifications have already been sent for water restriction offenses, Sanchez noted.

The full meeting is available here, from BCAT.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.