Westminster outdoor water ban announced

The Department of Public Works and the Public Works Commission have instituted a ban on outdoor watering while the Shady Avenue storage tank is improved.

Residents are being told they cannot use outdoor water, fill swimming pools, wash cars or use automatic sprinkler systems from Saturday, July 21, to Sunday, Aug. 5.

Director of Public Works William Wintturi said the ban is being put in place while the town's largest water storage tank is cleaned and a mixing system is added.

"(The mixing system) gives better water quality," Wintturi said.

The addition of the system to the tank will reduce the amount of byproducts forming because the water is stagnant.

"It's to improve water quality," he said.

There will be enough water for domestic use but the ban on outdoor water is being instituted because of a lack of water reserves. Winnuttri said there could be problems if there is a large water main break or a large-scale fire. He has

The town's water use doesn't fluctuate much during the course of the year so Winturri decided to do the project while school was out of session and before the winter set in.

"There really is no best time to do it," he said.

The DPW does have the power to enforce the water ban by issuing fines to those people that violate the ban.

If residents have any questions they can call the DPW at (978) 874-5572 or (978) 874-7420.