EMMITSBURG, Md. – With water being used in greater amounts than it was last summer and nine inches less rain, the Emmitsburg Town Commissioners have begun implementing water restrictions in town.

The commissioners voted 4-0 to prohibit the watering of lawns and gardens with sprinkler systems. This means that all outdoor watering in town needs to be done with a hand-held hose and only flowers, trees and shrubs can be watered. Violators will get a warning for their first offense, a $50 fine for the second offense and a $100 fine for each offense thereafter.

Town Manager Dave Haller told the commissioners during a recent town meeting that the situation had “intensified” over the past few weeks.

“We’ve been in a dry spell for the last seven months and we’re nine inches short in our precipitation for the same period last year,” Haller said.

The town wells are down an average of eight feet each with the largest being 18 feet down. Rainbow Lake is 14 inches below the spillway when it was only four inches low a month ago.

Haller said the reason for the increased usage in water is outdoor use by residents watering their lawns and gardens. A lawn sprinkler can spray 250 gallons in 33 minutes, the equivalent of an additional water tap.

Some of the extra usage has been offset by system improvements that have cut in half the percentage of water lost in transit through the water pipes. A July 30 memo from Haller to the commissioners noted, “However, it appears as if that increased system efficiency is being offset by excessive (and most likely unnecessary) residential consumption.”

Haller also pointed out after the meeting that the top 10 commercial users in town have used less water this year compared to last year.

“I’m hoping it will become a non issue as we move into September,” said Commission President Chris Staiger.

The commissioners will examine whether further restrictions will be needed at the August 20 town meeting.