Peabody Voluntary Water Restrictions Effective Wednesday

PEABODY, MA – Mayor Ted Bettencourt declared a water emergency last month to go into effect on Wednesday, July 5. The emergency comes after a recommendation from the Department of Environmental Protection and the fire at the Coolidge Avenue Water Treatment Plant.

The fire rendered the treatment plant inoperable, making the city buy water from the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority for hundreds of thousands of dollars. MWRA water is priced "significantly higher" than water treated locally, according to a statement from the Mayor's Office.

Bettencourt said he hoped to have the treatment plant back up and running by the fall, but the extensive damage might push the timeline back.

The initial water emergency measure consists of Voluntary Water Restriction Request to go into effect on Wednesday, July 5. Residents are asked to conserve water by only watering their lawns every other day as follows:

• Via sprinklers or by hose (both in-ground and above-ground systems).
• Odd # houses – Monday, Wednesday, and Friday ONLY 6 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. and 6 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
• Even # houses Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday ONLY 6 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
• Cars should only be washed during scheduled watering times
• Please no Sunday watering

Residential water billing is based on usage. By helping to conserve water during the city’s water emergency, residents can also help lower their costs.

For more information on the water emergency and voluntary water restrictions, please visit the city’s official website, www.peabody-ma.gov.