SOUTHWICK – The deadline for Southwick residents to participate in a survey on water use and water conservation has been extended until May 1, according to Randal Brown, Director of Southwick’s Department of Public Works.
The survey is being conducted as part of a $103,189 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s Sustainable Water Management Initiative to look at the town’s water usage in advance of the renewal of its withdrawal permit, which expires in November, 2016.
Brown said Southwick went in on the grant with West Springfield, because both towns draw their water from the Westfield River Basin’s Great Brook Aquifer, located in Southwick. They also partnered with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC), who developed the survey for each town and will compile and analyze the results, and with Abt Associates, who will help both communities with the permit renewal process.
Scan this QR code with your smart phone and you’ll be directed to the water use survey for Southwick residents.
Each town maintains its own withdrawal permit with the state, and in recent years Southwick has been approaching its state-permitted limit on water withdrawals, signaling the need for greater water conservation
Brown said that Mass. DEP recently changed its criteria on evaluating drought conditions, and the new criteria will likely affect Southwick. The new Water Management Act regulations direct how much groundwater municipalities are permitted to withdraw.
Brown explained that when a stream-flow gauge in the Westfield River drops below a certain threshold, any community that withdraws its water from the basin will be required to limit water usage, including outdoor usage.
“Based on historical data, we’ll likely hit that threshold every year, and have a ban on outdoor water usage during the summer months,” Brown said.
He said a ban could include no hand-held hoses between the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for example, or limiting outdoor irrigation during certain times of the day or certain days of the week. Southwick has not had a water ban in the last few summers. The restrictions would not apply to farms or businesses that rely on water for their operation.
Brown said the purpose of the anonymous survey is to look at water practices currently being used by residents, or ones they would consider using down the road, to help the towns asses their water use and explore ways to minimize future withdrawals, including through water conservation.
The questions relate to lawn irrigation and outdoor water use, as well as indoor water use practices and which water conservation measures residents might already be taking.
All respondents are eligible to enter a drawing for a $100 Amazon gift card upon filling out the survey.
While the survey is anonymous, anyone wishing to enter the raffle must provide his or her email address or telephone number. This contact information will be used only to notify the winner, according to Brown.
To date, only 120 respondents out of 2600 users in Southwick have filled out a survey which is why the deadline is being extended for one week until May 1. The town will also be sending out postcard reminders, Brown said. Although the survey is online only, if a resident would like a hard copy, he or she may contact the town DPW, he said.
Residents of Southwick may complete the survey at:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SouthwickWaterUseSurvey
The survey is only one component of the grant, Brown said. Other efforts will include looking at ways to mitigate impacts of increasing withdrawal, such as purchasing property for conservation which the town has done in the past, he said. They will also be creating educational materials to promote conservation, and reaching out to all stakeholders in the community.
