Drought Conditions & Response
At the October 20, 2022 Select Board meeting, the board agreed to remove the Level 1 water restrictions based on the Drought Monitor data indicating Stratham has moved to "abnormally dry". The removal of the Level 1 restriction will take effect October 25, 2022.
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The Select Board has moved to a Level 1 restriction effective October 12th. Following are Level 1 restrictions:
i. Lawn watering by odd numbered addresses is allowed on odd numbered days.
ii. Lawn watering by even numbered addresses is allowed on even numbered days.
iii. Lawn watering shall not occur between the hours of 8AM and 7PM.
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August 8th Special Newsletter Update: Drought Status in Stratham - Level 2 Restrictions Effective August 13th
A Level 2 restriction means:
i. Lawn watering by odd numbered addresses is allowed on Mondays and Thursdays.
ii. Lawn watering by even numbered addresses is allowed on Tuesdays and Fridays.
iii. Lawn watering shall not occur between the hours of 8AM and 7PM
Previous 2022 updates:
Town of Stratham Message for July 22, 2022 - Implementing Level 1
Voluntary Water Conservation Measures Urged - July 15, 2022
Financial Assistance Available for Low-Income Residential Well Owners Impacted by Drought, Other Natural Disasters
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Please see below for the RSA under which Town of Stratham Lawn Watering Restrictions are enacted.
This regulation is only effective during a declared drought for our area of the state and action by the Select Board.
Please see above for information about which Level of restriction is enacted at any given time.
Town of Stratham
Regulation Adopted under RSA 41:11-d
Town of Stratham Lawn Watering Restrictions During State or Federally Declared Droughts
LAWN WATERING RESTRICTIONS
I. PURPOSE
To protect public health and safety by restricting the use of water from private wells or public water systems for lawn watering during a state or federally declared drought.
II. AUTHORITY
The provisions of this regulation are adopted pursuant to RSA 41:11-d, Choice and Duties of Town Officers. (See Appendix A, Relevant Sections of State Law)
III. APPLICABILITY
The requirements of this section shall apply immediately after the public notice period described in Section VII to all outdoor lawn watering within the Town of Stratham when administrative agencies of the state or federal government have designated the region as being under a declared state or condition of drought.
IV. DEFINITIONS
Drought: A sustained and regionally extensive occurrence of appreciably below average natural water availability in the form of precipitation, stream flow or groundwater. The following resources are used by the Town of Stratham to determine the declaration of a drought condition.
i. The New Hampshire Drought Management Team as designated by the New Hampshire Drought Management Plan and the U.S. Drought Monitor.
ii. State of Emergency declaration by the Governor’s Office.
B. Lawn Watering: The application of water to decorative grass at a property.
V. REQUIREMENTS UNDER DROUGHT CONDITIONS
The following limits to lawn watering will apply under drought conditions. The specified levels (Level 1 through 3) will be determined by the Town of Stratham Select Board and will be included in the public notice required under Section VII of this regulation.
A. If THE TOWN OF STRATHAM issues a Level 1 restriction, then
i. Lawn watering by odd numbered addresses is allowed on odd numbered days.
ii. Lawn watering by even numbered addresses is allowed on even numbered days.
iii. Lawn watering shall not occur between the hours of 8AM and 7PM.
B. If THE TOWN OF STRATHAM issues a Level 2 restriction, then
i. Lawn watering by odd numbered addresses is allowed on Mondays and Thursdays.
ii. Lawn watering by even numbered addresses is allowed on Tuesdays and Fridays.
iii. Lawn watering shall not occur between the hours of 8AM and 7PM.
C. If THE TOWN OF STRATHAM issues a Level 3 restriction, then
i. Lawn watering is prohibited.
VII. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION OF WATER USE RESTRICTION
Notification of any intention to restrict water use and the requirements associated with Section V shall be given at least three calendar days before implementation. Notice of the regulations shall be posted in a paper of general circulation and shall be posted in at least two public places. Residents are specifically requested to take notice of the marques at Stratham Hill Park, the Stratham Police Department, and/or message Boards at the Municipal Center and Fire Department.
VIII. TERMINATION OF WATER USE RESTRICTION
Public notification and termination of water use restriction shall be given in accordance with Section VII.
IX. ENFORCEMENT
Any sworn officer of the TOWN OF STRATHAM Police Department is hereby granted the authority to initiate any enforcement action against any violation of the provisions of this Regulation.
X. PENALTIES
Any person failing to comply with the restrictions imposed pursuant to this Regulation shall be deemed a violation and subject to penalties pursuant to RSA 651:2.
First violation: Warning.
Second violation: $250 fine.
Additional violations: $500 to $1,000 fine.
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NH DES - Drought Update 18 - October 22, 2020
NH DES - Drought Update 17 - October 15, 2020
NH DES - Drought Update 16 - October 8, 2020
NH DES - Drought Update - September 24, 2020
NH DES - Drought Update - September 17, 2020
NH DES - Drought Update 11
NH DES - Drought Management Plan
Union Leader article - Drought across NH continues to worsen