RFP Results to Purchase, Upgrade, Maintenace and Operation of the Town's Water and Wastewater Systems and Facilities:

EAST STREET SIDEWALK CLOSED FOR REPAIR:
MassDOT has closed East St Sidewalk for repair. A portable signal is up and the Bridge is down to one Lane. A temporary sidewalk will be accessible in-between the barrels. This is an on-going project. Please be safe. 

WATER QUALITY REPORTS: 
Reports are now available by clicking on the top left green tab marked "Water Consumer Confidence Report." A paper copy can be made available upon request at the DPW office. 

CURRENT DROUGHT STATUS IN MASSACHUSETTS:
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/drought-status

Notice to Ware Residents Regarding Water Use Restrictions:
The Town is required through its Water Management Act Permit to enact seasonal limits on non-essential outdoor water use.  These requirements are to ensure an adequate supply of water for drinking water, to sustain aquatic life in our water bodies and to protect the environment.  The Water Department has a choice of instituting these restrictions on an annual basis beginning May 1^st each year or based on streamflow triggers in the Ware River.  We have chosen the streamflow triggered approach.  We currently need to enact these requirements when the streamflow in the Ware River at the USGS local stream gage at Gibbs Crossing is lower than a predetermined threshold for 3 consecutive days.  The restriction can be lifted when the threshold limit has been exceeded for seven consecutive days. 
Nonessential outdoor water use shall mean those uses that are not required:

1. for health or safety reasons;
2. by regulation;
3. for the production of food and fiber;
4. for the maintenance of livestock; or
5. to meet the core functions of a business (for example, irrigation by golf courses as necessary to maintain tees and greens, and limited fairway watering, or irrigation by plant nurseries or agricultural operations as necessary to maintain stock or establish new plantings, wash equipment to prevent damage and/or maintain performance, pest management and plant cooling.
6. Nonessential outdoor water uses that are subject to mandatory restrictions include:
   • irrigation of lawns via sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems;
   • washing of vehicles, except in a commercial car wash or as necessary for operator safety or to prevent damage and/or maintain performance of agricultural or construction vehicles or equipment; and
   • washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways or sidewalks, except as necessary to apply paint, preservatives, stucco, pavement or cement.
   • All customers of the Ware water system need to comply with these restrictions during these hours.  Water can be used for non-essential purposes outside of these hours.  Anyone caught ignoring these requirements will be given a warning for the first offense and subsequent offenses will result in actions including fines and water shut offs as permitted by applicable Town bylaws and regulations.
   • If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the Ware Water Department at 967-9620.