Whereas the Town of Stow is in an area of the State declared to be in Level 3 – Critical Drought,

Whereas the State Guidance on Non-Essential Outdoor Water-Use restriction is to ban all non-essential outdoor water use,

Whereas Stow residents and businesses derive their potable water from private and public water supply wells which access groundwater,

Whereas wetlands and streams have shown stress from the current drought condition,

Whereas a supply of potable water is necessary for the promotion of public health of the residents of Stow,

The Stow Board of Health, acting under 105CMR400.220 (b) Emergency Procedures, hereby prohibits non-essential outdoor water use at all times.  This ban shall be effective August 22, 2022 and the Board of Health will monitor the drought level and shall review the ban from time to time.

Examples of nonessential outdoor water uses include, but is not limited to:

-Irrigation of public and private lawns via sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems;
-Washing of vehicles, other than by means of a commercial car wash, except as necessary for public safety or operator safety; and
-Washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways or sidewalks, except as necessary to apply paint, preservatives, stucco, pavement or cement.

The following uses are permitted:

-Watering of personal gardens by means of a hand-held hose/watering can is allowed after 7:00PM until 7:00AM; and
-To meet the core functions of a business or commercial activity.