Chatham Approves Fines For Outdoor Watering Violations

CHATHAM – Homeowners who fail to comply with the town’s outdoor water use restrictions could face stiff fines.

 The select board last week endorsed a schedule that calls for levying fines of up to $300 for homeowners who violate watering restrictions. Currently, the town has no mechanism to enforce the restrictions. The fine schedule will go into effect on Jan. 1.

 The town has had outdoor water use restrictions in place for several years based on state-declared drought conditions. According to the state drought management task force, the Cape is currently experiencing level 2 “significant” drought conditions.

 Mandatory outdoor water use restrictions have been in place since May 2025. All non-essential outdoor water use is restricted to no more than two days per week, only before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m. Odd numbers addresses can water Tuesdays and Thursdays, even numbered homes can water Wednesdays and Fridays. Non-essential use includes watering of lawns either through sprinklers or irrigation systems, washing of vehicles and exterior surfaces including buildings, driveways and sidewalks. 

 The restrictions only apply to those on town water; while private well owners are exempt, officials encourage all residents and businesses to comply with the restrictions, citing the fact that both public and private wells draw water from the same aquifer.

 Most outdoor watering is prohibited when the region is under level 2, 3 and 4 drought conditions. For a first offence, owners will receive a written warning. Under a level 1 or 2 drought, a second offence will result in a $100 fine, a third offence a fine of $200. Under drought levels 3 and 4, a second offence will elicit a $200 fine and a third offence $300.

 Chair Jeffrey Dykens backed the higher fines during times of extreme drought. “I want to whack them,” he said, if homeowners violate the prohibitions at a time when water should be conserved.

 Public education about the fines is critical, said board member Dean Nicastro. 

 “I think it’s going to be very important that we communicate with people,” he said, adding that he spoke with some residents who weren’t aware of the current restrictions. “If we’re going to be fining people, we’re going to have to have a publicity campaign.”

 Follow through will be important, agreed board member Cory Metters. But while the town can identify which addresses have private irrigation wells and those on town water, there is no way to know when the system is being used, said Public Works Director Rob Faley.

 “We basically have to catch them in the act,” he said.

 It will also be important to communicate the rules and the potential for fines to contractors who set up irrigation systems and configure them each season, said Metters. Faley said the department reached out to contractors this past spring to urge them to configure systems to conform with the regulations.

 “I think we were ahead of it, but it certainly wasn’t across the board,” he said.

 Water and sewer advisory committee Chair Jeff Colby said most homeowners are complying with the restrictions, “but there’s really no teeth” to enforce the rules. The advisory committee endorsed the fine schedule at its July meeting.

 According to Faley, the town is currently in the process of completing a new Water Management Act permit. Enforcement of outdoor water use restrictions is required within two years of issuance of the permit.