What authority does the Town of Dover have to implement and enforce water use restrictions?

Currently, the Town of Dover has no authority (neither its Board of Selectmen nor its Board of Health) to regulate the amount of water usage associated with private wells. Unlike many other towns, Dover has not approved any regulations or bylaws that allow for enforcement of recommended water conservation activities during normal times or during state-declared drought conditions. Massachusetts General Law Ch. 21 Section 67 specifies that 1. irrigation systems include a moisture sensor to shut off systems during and immediately after rain events and 2. registration of systems with the Town which would provide a means of communicating with and educating irrigation system users. However, these regulations have not been implemented in Dover.  

At present, the Massachusetts Department of Protection (MassDEP) regulates all Public Water Suppliers (PWSs), like the Colonial Water Company, that has a permit through the Water Management Act (WMA) to pump water. That permit limits the amount of water that the PWS can withdraw from the aquifer and also requires that the companies develop and implement a water conservation program. However, there is little if any enforcement of the permit terms. 


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1. What authority does the Town of Dover have to implement and enforce water use restrictions?
2. How does Dover determine when to recommend special water conservation actions?
3. How do I find out information about the present level of recommended water conservation actions?
4. What are the drought levels used by the Massachusetts Drought Management Task Force and what do the levels mean?
5. It just rained X inches this weekend. How can we still be in a drought?
6. Why is outdoor water conservation focused on irrigation systems?
7. What features should a lawn irrigation have in order to reduce unnecessary water usage?
8. What actions can I take to reduce my outdoor watering?
9. What about watering new lawns and landscaping?
10. What can I do to conserve water indoors?