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PEABODY — A water emergency was declared on Tuesday due to the summer’s prolonged drought.
The high water usage has caused low water pressure in some neighborhoods and the city’s drinking reservoirs are down, according to Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt Jr.
Peabody officials are working with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority for a temporary emergency connection through the Lynnfield Water District to provide additional potable water to the city.
Under the mandatory water restriction, officials are asking residents to conserve H2O by watering their lawns every other day by sprinkler or hose. Houses on the odd numbered side of streets may water lawns on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays only from 6 to 9 a.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. Residents on the even numbered side of streets may water their lawns during those hours on Tuesday, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Hand watering by pail or water cans is allowed at any time. But hoses may only be used during scheduled times.
Cars may only be washed during scheduled times, no Sunday watering is allowed and hydrants will not be flushed.
If the drought continues or worsens, Bettencourt said additional water restrictions may be put in place.
Adam Swift can be reached at [email protected].