TOWN OF SEABROOK, NEW HAMPSHIRE
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
ACTING AS THE BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS
EXTENSION OF MANDATORY WATER
USE CURTAILMENT ORDER
Date of Action: September 21, 2026
WHEREAS, the Seabrook Board of Selectmen, acting as the Board of Water Commissioners, previously adopted a Mandatory Water Use Curtailment Order governing the use of the Town’s municipal water supply; and
WHEREAS, current water supply conditions warrant the continuation of the mandatory water use restrictions;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Seabrook Board of Selectmen, acting as the Board of Water Commissioners, hereby extends the Mandatory Water Use Curtailment Order through January 1, 2027.
All restrictions, exceptions, enforcement provisions, and amendments previously adopted as part of the Mandatory Water Use Curtailment Order shall remain in full force and effect during the extension period unless modified or rescinded by subsequent action of the Board. (Please see below)
This extension was approved by vote of the Seabrook Board of Selectmen on September 21, 2026
ORDER IMPOSING TEMPORARY MANDATORY WATER USE CURTAILMENT
FINDINGS
WHEREAS, the Town of Seabrook operates a municipal public water system for the protection
of public health, safety, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, Section 6.5 of the Town’s Municipal Water System Ordinance authorizes the Board
of Water Commissioners, during periods of drought, emergency, or where necessary for the
protection of public health, safety, and welfare, to restrict, curtail, or prohibit the use of water for
secondary purposes; and
WHEREAS, on May 21, 2026, the Town’s Chief Water Operator formally recommended that a
mandatory water ban be implemented based upon current operational conditions and source
readings reaching or approaching mandatory restriction thresholds; and
WHEREAS, the Chief Water Operator reported the following conditions:
• Gun Range Well: 65.26 (mandatory threshold 66.7)
• KFW19 Well: 63.01 (mandatory threshold 62.09)
• OWD-D Well: 38.22 (mandatory threshold 38.9)
and
WHEREAS, the Board of Water Commissioners finds that temporary curtailment of nonessential
water use is necessary to preserve adequate municipal water supply capacity for
essential domestic use, public safety, and fire protection;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Board of Water Commissioners hereby orders as follows:
1. CURTAILMENT OF NON-ESSENTIAL WATER USE
Effective immediately upon adoption, the use of Town-supplied municipal water for secondary
or non-essential outdoor purposes is prohibited, including but not limited to:
• Filling or refilling swimming pools, wading pools, hot tubs, or similar recreational water
features;
• Non-commercial washing of automobiles, trucks, trailers, boats, or similar vehicles;
• Watering of lawns, ornamental landscaping, shrubs, decorative trees, or similar
vegetation;
• Operation of irrigation or sprinkler systems;
• Any other non-essential outdoor water use that materially increases system demand.
2. EXCEPTIONS
The following uses shall remain permitted:
• Water necessary for drinking, cooking, sanitation, and normal hygienic purposes;
• Water necessary for essential commercial operations conducted at the place of business where the use of water is required to maintain sanitation, public health, public safety, food production, manufacturing processes, or other operations specifically approved by the Water Superintendent. This exception does not include the use of municipal water for discretionary off-site commercial services, including but not limited to pressure washh1g, exterior washing, irrigation, or similar activities, unless specifically authorized by the Water Superintendent based upon a demonstrated public health or public safety need.
• Water necessary for the maintenance of livestock;
• Watering of vegetable gardens intended for food production, limited to 7:30 p.m. to 8:30
p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, using reasonable conservation
practices;
• Uses specifically authorized by the Water Superintendent where necessary for public
health or public safety.
3. ENFORCEMENT
The Seabrook Water Department and its authorized personnel shall investigate suspected
violations of this Order.
Violations may result in enforcement actions authorized under the Municipal Water System
Ordinance, including:
• Written warning;
• Notice of violation;
• Administrative enforcement;
• Suspension or termination of water service pursuant to ordinance authority;
• Injunctive or other lawful enforcement remedies.
4. PENALTIES
Violations of this Order shall be subject to the enforcement remedies and penalties established
under the Town’s Municipal Water System Ordinance.
5. DURATION
This Order shall remain in effect until October 1, 2026, unless earlier modified, suspended, or
rescinded by vote of the Board of Water Commissioners based upon operational conditions and
recommendation of the Water Department.
6. SEVERABILITY
If any provision of this Order or its application is determined invalid, the remaining provisions
shall remain in full force and effect.