The Fairhaven Board of Public Works has imposed outdoor water use restrictions, effective immediately. 

First, residents will only be able to water their lawns once per week, on the day their trash is collected. There will be no watering between the hours of 9AM and 5PM.

Businesses, residents of other towns on the Fairhaven system, and others without Town trash collection will be able to water their lawns on Fridays only, again, not between the hours of 9AM and 5PM.

Second, other outdoor uses, such car washing and washing walks will not be allowed on any day at all.  Without these restrictions, fire protection could be at risk.  Nurseries are exempt, as well as home vegetable and flower gardens.

BPW personnel will be patrolling the Town and fines up to $100 are authorized.

This is a temporary measure to prevent discolored water and overtaxing the Fairhaven wells that are still on line. As the new Mattapoisett River Valley Water District ultra filtration plant comes on line over the next 6 weeks, these conservation measures will help avoid further disruptions to the Fairhaven system.  The new plant is one of the biggest changes to the Fairhaven water system since it was developed.

Once in place, improved water will be coming into the system.  The BPW expects this to last no more than six (6) weeks, and will notify the public as soon as it can be lifted.

ABC 6 reporter Coleen Harry has details on the ban, as well as news on a ban in Cumberland, RI that begins on Monday...