Water Conservation

Water Conservation By-Law

As required by the Town's Water Management Act Permit, the Town Administrator shall declare a State of Water Supply Conservation no later than the first Monday in June through, at the earliest, the second Monday in September each year. These dates may change based on current regional drought conditions or mechanical issues within the water system.  Outdoor water use restrictions outlined in § 179-17 shall be applicable to all water users of the public water system regardless of any person's responsibility for paying water bills for water used at any particular facility. The Town Administrator may extend the State of Water Supply Conservation if he determines that a shortage of water exists, or may reasonably be determined to be imminent, and that conservation measures are appropriate to ensure the safe and adequate supply of water to all water consumers.

A declaration of a State of Water Supply Conservation shall include, but not be limited to, one or more of the following restrictions, conditions, or requirements limiting the use of water as necessary to protect the public supply. The applicable restrictions, conditions or requirements shall be included in the public notice required under § 179-20.

A.  One day per week outdoor watering. Outdoor watering using sprinklers or automated irrigation systems is restricted to the water user's trash day. If the user does not have Town trash service, the user should water on the same day as the nearest Town trash customer.

B.  Outdoor watering hours. Outdoor watering is prohibited between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

For more information on the Water Conservation By-Law and requirements for when a Water Ban is needed, please see the Town Bylaws here: https://ecode360.com/10434850

A total of 1-inch of water once per week from rain and watering promotes the healthiest lawns.  Non-compliance with these regulations could adversely affect public health and safety. Violators are subject to fines up to $200.           

Private irrigation wells are not required to follow the water conservation measures, however, please remember that irrigation wells are taking water from the same aquifer as Franklin's drinking water wells, so please water wisely!  If you receive a violation warning from the DPW, please call 508-553-5500 and let us know you have a private well. If you have a private well for irrigation, you must have a sign posted that is clearly visible from the street in accordance with Town bylaws. Click here for posting of notice for private irrigation wells bylaw.

Every Drop Counts
Did you know that the average American uses 100 gallons of water every day? But we can all reduce our water use by as much as 30 percent by taking a few simple steps, such as installing WaterSense labeled plumbing fixtures and using water efficiently in our yards. Did you know that the town of Franklin pumped over 990,000,000 gallons of water last year?

The Town of Franklin DPW is committed to protecting the future of our national and local water supply through water-efficient practices, products, and services. That is why we are partnering with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to bring to you WaterSense, a national program that offers people a simple way to make product choices that use less water—and perform as well or better than your existing products.  

The Town is now offering rebates for the installation of high-efficiency clothes washers, toilets, and rain barrels!  Please click here for more information!

Why Should You Care?

  • Using water efficiently will conserve supplies for future generations.
  • Protecting and preserving the nation's water supply is critical to our economic future and human health.
  • WaterSense labeled products and services perform as well as or better than their less efficient counterparts.
  • Purchasing WaterSense labeled products can help you protect the environment and help you save money on your utility bill.

Lawn Watering Tips
According to the University of Massachusetts Cooperative Extension System, lawns require only one inch of water weekly either from rain or irrigation or a combination of both.  Watering a lawn lightly on a frequent basis, rather than watering deeply once per week, encourages shallow rooting and crabgrass while making the lawn more susceptible to drought injury.  

The Town is now offering rebates for the installation of rain barrels!  Please click here for more information!

Test Your WaterSense
Think you know everything there is to know about water? You can’t be sure until you’ve played EPA’s Test Your WaterSenseonline quiz! Maneuver the water-efficiency hero Hydro through water pipes and answer water-efficiency questions while avoiding water-wasting monsters such as Sogosaurus and Drainiac.

WaterSense Labeled Products
Stay tuned as WaterSense labeled products become available at a store near you! EPA maintains an online directory of labeled products that can be found here.

Learn More
What is water efficiency? You can learn more about water efficiency and water-saving tips for water consumers. Learn about the benefits of water efficiency and find links to related resources and state-initiated programs.

For Kids! Learn all about Water!
Earth's water is always in movement, and the natural water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle, describes the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth. Water is always changing states between liquid, vapor, and ice, with these processes happening in the blink of an eye and over millions of years. To learn more check out the links below:

The Water Cycle, Cloud Formation, and Rainbows Explained

WaterSense for Kids

Water Cycle Glossary of Terms