Report Finds North Andover Water Demand Not Near Capacity

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — North Andover's water use is safely within the Lake Cochichewick permit capacity and is likely to remain so with projected growth, even though the town's residential use per capita is high, according to a report published by the town Tuesday.

The town hired the engineering firm Weston & Sampson to evaluate the town's water demand in response to resident concerns about population growth, including the proposed apartment moratorium that failed at 2021's annual town meeting.

According to the report, the town uses less than the maximum allowable amount of water from the lake and has spare capacity a projected 4 percent increase in demand.

However, if heightened water usage associated with the coronavirus pandemic continues, "there could be a greater impact on withdrawal than what has been forecasted," the firm found. The report concludes with a list of potential remedies in case that happens.

>>Read the Water Demand Evaluation.

The town's Water Management Act permit allows it to use 4.4 million gallons per day of water from the lake. For each year from 2012 to 2020, the town used between 3 and 4 million gallons per day.

That's despite the fact that the town's daily residential use per capita was 67.4 gallons over recent years, above the 65 gallon Department of Environmental Protection maximum. The town's water usage is also elevated in years with low rainfall, the report notes.

New development demand is projected to increase town demand by 4 percent, the report said, based on the expected needs of particular planned developments.

In case increased pandemic water usage continues, the report recommends remedies including revising water use regulations, considering alternate water sources and reviewing the drought management plan.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.