Burlington Lifts Ban On Outside Water Use

BURLINGTON, MA -- Selectmen lifted an outdoor water use ban that had been in place in Burlington for most of the summer. Monday's decision, however, includes restrictions on when people can water their lawns and wash cars. The town will continue to ban outdoor water use between 9 am and 5 pm and revert back to the every other day water use restrictions.

Under those water use rules, odd numbered addresses can use water outside on odd numbered days and even numbered addresses can use water outside on even-numbered days. On August 31, everyone can use water outside.

The town completed installation and testing of a new filter at its water treatment plant last week. The state's Department of Environmental Protection approved Monday's decision to lift the water ban.

The complete ban on outdoor water use went into effect more than a month ago, thanks to repairs for the Vine Brook treatment plant. The ban has helped Burlington reduce water consumption to as low as 2.6 million gallons per day. By comparison, low days this were around 2.3 million gallons. Prior to the ban, Burlington was recording as much as 4.7 million gallons of water usage on certain days.

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Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).