Dover Township, October 31, 2024: Effective immediately, Dover Township is implementing a mandatory restriction on nonessential water use. Dover Township had hoped voluntary conservation would have provided some restoration of water supply. With little to no rain in the month of October and the future prediction not anticipating any significant rain our watershed is in a state of drought.
Dover Township’s Board of Supervisors have expressed concern about the ongoing drought and lack of rain. The weather patterns have been frustrating to watch. Despite the public’s response to our voluntary restriction requests, this has not resulted in sufficient reduced water demand on our system. It is now critical for our customers to conserve, to protect the water resource, and ensure it is available for the most vulnerable and highest priority water needs of the community.
While not all-inclusive, effective immediately the following water uses are deemed nonessential and are prohibited within Dover Township’s service territories.
Under the mandatory restriction, the following uses are prohibited:
(1) The use of any water for watering grass, athletic fields, and irrigation of outdoor gardens, landscaped areas, trees, shrubs, and other outdoor plants.
(2) The use of any water for watering any portion of golf courses.
(3) The use of any water for washing paved surfaces, for ornamental purposes, including fountains, artificial waterfalls and reflecting pools.
(7) The use of any water for washing or cleaning of mobile equipment, like vehicles.
(8) The serving of water in restaurants, clubs or eating places, unless specifically requested by an individual.
(9) The use of any water to fill and top off swimming pools.
(10) The use of water from a fire hydrant—including sprinkler caps—for any purpose, except for firefighting or testing apparatus with prior notice to Dover Township.
(11) The use of any water that is not necessary to serve essential health, safety, or economic needs, including the maintenance of human, animal, and plant life.
This is not a situation any of us want to be in, but nature is not cooperating, and we must ensure that our customers have water when they need it. We are most concerned about public health and ask our community to come together at this critical point.
Please contact our office at 717-292-3634 with any other questions regarding this mandatory water restriction on nonessential water use. You many also reach our Utilities Superintendent via email at Mhelwig@dovertownship.org.
