The MWRA stated its concern today about the high water use rates during morning and evening peak hours ( see chart ) for the current spell of dry and hot weather. Executive Director Doug MacDonald appealed to customers to refrain from outdoor water use during critical morning and evening water use periods.

"The continued hot weather has pushed our system’s peak deliveries to the cities and towns to levels that have not been seen in many years," said MacDonald. "Although our reservoirs are nearly full, the peak demands twice each day, when everyone tries to draw upon the system at the same time, mean that some areas are experiencing local pressure problems and several hundred customers are being inconvenienced."

"Everyone can help with this temporary problem," MacDonald said. "For the next few days, we hope people will refrain from outdoor use from 6:00 o’clock to 10:00 o’clock in the morning and during the same hours in the evening. If you must use water outdoors, please do it earlier, or later, and then everyone will have enough pressure for their household needs at the beginning and end of the day."

The MWRA provides drinking water to 46 communities, most located in the metropolitan Boston area. Areas which are suffering pressure problems are mostly in Brighton, Newton, Saugus and Everett. Cutbacks in use in these areas will be particularly helpful.