Water restriction signs have been put up in many North Shore towns and a new sign has appeared on properties from Wilmington to Ipswich. Both signs concern summer water use, with town signage alerting residents to conserve a vulnerable resource and these new lawn signs indicating the solution for keeping our water safe.
The Ipswich River suffers from chronic low flows in the summer and fall, which is no surprise. The 40+ mile river supplies water to 14 different communities, including towns which fall mostly, or completely, outside its watershed like Peabody, Lynn, Beverly and Salem. Water use increases dramatically during the warmer months of spring and summer, mostly due to non-essential uses like lawn watering. These increased withdrawals have a definite impact on the river, which is already stressed in summer months by higher temperatures and decreased rainfall.
There is no standard policy in place to keep the river from being pumped dry during dry weather. Towns reliant on the river for their water have varying levels of water restrictions, with some having only voluntary bans and others none at all. Another complication is private wells, which in many towns are not subject to water restrictions despite drawing on the same groundwater the river and other water bodies need to recharge. The inequity in town restrictions means that often, by the time stronger restrictions are put in place, it’s too late to prevent damage to the river. This damage includes the loss of wildlife and habitat that can take years to recover.
The solution for the problem of an overburdened Ipswich River already exists, the proof of which is the lawn signs, which read: “This yard is saving the Ipswich River. Conserve Water!” These signs, distributed by the Ipswich River Watershed Association as part of their #4ourRiver sustainable landscapes campaign, indicate the homeowner, business or public space has made a commitment to protecting water.
The rules of sustainable landscaping are simple, and require little to no effort on the part of the property owner. They are low impact and not only save water, but help keep water in both the ground and waterways cleaner and safer.
Sustainable landscapes save water by watering minimally or not at all. There is a misconception that if a lawn is not watered during dry conditions it will die. These yard signs are showing how far from the truth that is. While during extreme drought grass will brown as it goes dormant, refraining from watering actually makes a lawn less likely to die by dry conditions. A regularly watered lawn grows shallow roots, increasing its need to be constantly watered. Green lawns can be attained without watering, fertilizing, or relying on weed control. By refraining from chemical treatments, lawns won’t add to the rainwater pollution that can result in algae blooms and closed beaches. They will also be safer for kids, pets and wildlife.
The ultimate goal of sustainable landscapes is to create a beautiful, healthier and more resilient community for people and nature, while reserving our precious water resources for important human needs. The Ipswich River Watershed Association encourages everyone who wishes to keep our water clean and our water supply protected to join them in their campaign to promote and implement landscaping practices that are truly green.
This article was also published in the Ipswich Chronicle, complete with a video of Executive Director Wayne Castonguay! View the article here.