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WESTFORD — Westford is under a continued flood watch through Tuesday afternoon, with the town expecting a substantial level of rain by Wednesday morning.
Between one and a half and two inches of rainfall is expected for the region by Wednesday morning. Heavy rainfall is expected Tuesday morning, with levels tapering off throughout the early afternoon.
According to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, “little to no” rainfall accumulation is expected.
The region was placed in a critical drought by Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Bethany Card on July 21. The region remains five to 10 inches below normal rainfall according to National Weather Service data.
As a result of the drought, the Westford Water Department has implemented mandatory water restrictions for public water customers.
”Due to continued drought conditions, high demand, and temporary loss of the Country Road well source, the Westford Water Department is upgrading the Outdoor Water Use Restrictions to Stage III – no outdoor watering using sprinklers,” wrote the Water Department in a news release.
Under Stage III restrictions, all outdoor nonessential water use is prohibited. The department clarified that watering with a hand-held hose with automatic shut-off or watering can is allowed. Water of food gardens is also exempt from these restrictions.
Customers with an odd-numbered address may still only water on odd-numbered days from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. Customers with even-numbered addresses may only water on even-numbered days from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. Additionally, the filling of swimming pools is still prohibited.
The department will issue a $50 for the first offense, and $100 fines for subsequent offenses.
Restrictions took effect on Sunday, July 10 and will remain in effect until further notice.
Dry conditions are expected to return on Thursday and continue through the weekend. The current flood watch is expected to expire at 5 p.m.
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