Water Restrictions Hit Pittsfield: Here’s What You Can and Can’t Do

Pittsfield is now under a Level 2 "Significant Drought" declaration from the state, and that means some new rules for how we use water outside our homes.

Here's the confusing part. The city's drinking water reservoirs are full. We've actually gotten some good rain lately. So why the restrictions? It comes down to the bigger picture. Massachusetts, including the Berkshires, has had two straight years of below average rainfall. State officials look at more than just what's sitting in our reservoirs when they measure drought conditions, and right now those numbers say we need to conserve.

So what changes for residents? If you water your lawn or garden outside, you can only use a hand-held hose or a watering can, and only before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. Sprinklers and automatic irrigation systems are off limits for now.

Other things you'll need to hold off on: washing your car at home (a commercial car wash is fine), hosing down your driveway, sidewalk or the outside of your house, and filling up pools or hot tubs.

There are some exceptions. You can still water vegetable gardens, take care of livestock, wash boats to prevent invasive species, and irrigate public parks, school fields and public shade trees. Businesses like nurseries and golf courses also have some allowances to keep their operations running.

If you break the rules, the first time gets you a written warning. After that it's a $50 fine, then $300 for every violation after that, and each day it continues counts as a new offense.

There's no end date on this yet. The city says it's in effect until further notice!