Needham Selectmen Explain Odd/Even Water Restrictions

Needham announced outdoor water use restrictions at the end of last month, and a handful of Patch readers asked the same question in the comments: "Why?"

Town officials are not happy with the decision. The Board of Selectmen held a hearing at their Tuesday night meeting to explain the ban, which was prompted by discussions with the Mass Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP).

The problem is that the State believes Needhamites are using too much water. Selectmen Chair Dan Matthews explained that the DEP and the Town of Needham had been in talks about the town's water use. He noted that, while the town was negotiating with the DEP, the agency was talking about taking the town to court.

"We thought the discussions were making progress, but sometimes perception is something one person sees one way, while the other sees it another," Matthews explained.

The town's average water use is between 67 and 68 gallons per person, per day. MassDEP standards dictate towns should be using an average of 65 gallons per capita per day (gpcd). This is the minimum requirement from the agency, which Matthews understands to be a national standard.

"We all have sound water management practices, and we have been doing a good job." Said Selectman Matthew Borrelli, "But we have another agency telling use we're not doing enough."

With the ban in place this summer, officials believe the town can get below the 65 gpcd threshold. Getting to this number will give the town more control over restrictions or bans in future. 

Several residents responded at the hearing, and attitudes were mixed. Some called the restrictions inconvenient but acknowledged they may have a benefit, others saw no need for them. 

The Board promised to continue working with the DEP to resolve the situation, and thanked residents for their cooperation with the regulations.

"Whether you agree or disagree, I think it's important that the town gets the ability to control restrictions. In this case, it means coming together to get to 65 gallons per day." Selectman Moe Handel said, "It may not be something we want to do, but it's something we have to do while we're working through this issue."

Needham is among dozens of Massachusetts municipalities currently undergoing similar mandatory restrictions. These are the core rules of the town's Odd/Even water ban:

• If your address is an even number, you can water on Mondays and Thursdays. 
• If your address is an odd number, you can water your yard on Tuesdays and Fridays.
• No watering on Wednesdays or Weekends. 
• You can water using a hand-held hose all week, even during the restricted days. 

That said, Matthews commented that it is easy to blame someone who isn't in the room. At the time of the hearing, no MassDEP representatives were on hand to answer questions.