HAVERHILL — Two weeks ago, the city put up a large banner in front of the Kenoza Lake reservoir reminding residents to "Conserve Water" and "Make Every Drop Count."
Then the rain came. Water officials said it helped the city avoid having to implement water usage restrictions, such as limiting the watering of lawns.
Wastewater Superintendent Robert Ward said Haverhill received nearly 3 inches of rain over the last week, which was welcomed after a dry summer.
"We've been watching the lake level pretty closely for a month or so," Ward said. "June and July were both dry months, and we've been watching the water level at Kenoza Lake and comparing it to past years at this time."
He said the lake was at its lowest level on record in 1999 and that, currently, it is about 2.5 feet above that level and 1.4 feet below the 19-year average.
Ward said that even with the recent rain, it is a good idea to conserve water and use it wisely. If the dry trend continues, he might have two additional banners set up in other parts of the city, all as friendly reminders to use water judiciously.
The city's water treatment plant at Kenoza Lake pumped an average of 7.5 million gallons of water a day during June and July, Ward said. He said that is up from the past two summers, which were rainy.
He said if the dry weather trend continues, the city would look at asking water customers to start conserving more, and to take voluntary measures to curtail their water use, particularly outdoor water for things such as washing cars. In 1999, the city imposed mandatory restrictions on outdoor watering at certain times of day.
"With the rain we just had, I think it will help us tremendously," Ward said.
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