Plainville Department of Public Works

Plainville Department of Public Works Welcome to the Plainville Department of Public Works Official page! Comments straying from the designated topic may also be subject to removal.

We expect conversations to follow the rules of polite discourse and we ask that participants treat each other, as well as our employees, with respect. Comments may be monitored and may be subject to removal based on, but not limited to, the following qualities: comments featuring profanity and vulgar or abusive language; sexually harassing content; obscene content; threats of physical or bodily ha

rm; discriminatory language on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, age, marital status, or religion; and content of a commercial nature.

Storm drains are not connected to wastewater treatment plants or septic systems like the drains in your home. When pet o...
06/16/2026

Storm drains are not connected to wastewater treatment plants or septic systems like the drains in your home. When pet or livestock waste is left on the sidewalk, street, or yard, stormwater and non-stormwater runoff can wash it directly into our storm drain system and out to our waterways without it being treated first.
Animal waste is a threat to human and environmental health because it contains harmful bacteria and pathogens, some of which can cause serious diseases in humans. Animal waste also contains many other nutrient pollutants, which contribute to damaging algae growth in a water body.
Use less-toxic alternatives for grooming. Even biodegradable products can be harmful to humans, marine life and the environment. Follow instructions on the products and clean up spills.
When washing horses, allow wash water to infiltrate into the ground, or collect in an area that is routed to a sanitary sewer, not a storm drain.
During heavy rainfall, consider indoor feeding, a practice that keeps manure under a roof and away from runoff.
Store animal waste in a sturdy, seepage-free unit that is enclosed or under cover.
Do not store manure on-site for more than one week.

Did you know picking up after your pet helps reduce stormwater pollution? Pick Up Dog Waste: Prevent pet waste from wash...
06/11/2026

Did you know picking up after your pet helps reduce stormwater pollution?
Pick Up Dog Waste: Prevent pet waste from washing into storm drains, which leads to water contamination.
Stormwater & Streams: Runoff carries pet waste pollutants to rivers and oceans, harming aquatic life and affecting our water.
Dispose Properly: Use waste bags and bins or flush if allowed.
Healthy Environment: These small actions create a cleaner, healthier environment for all.
Remember to scoop the p**p on your walk! Together, we can protect our waterways.

06/09/2026

TOWN OF PLAINVILLE

Level 1 – Mild Drought Declaration & Outdoor Water Use Restrictions

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: June 8, 2026
Contact: Town of Plainville Department of Public Works | (508) 695-6871 x820

TOWN OF PLAINVILLE DECLARES LEVEL 1 – MILD DROUGHT AND IMPOSES MANDATORY OUTDOOR WATER USE RESTRICTIONS
PLAINVILLE, MA – The Plainville Select Board, at its duly noticed public meeting on June 8, 2026, voted to declare a Level 1 – Mild Drought in the Town of Plainville and to impose mandatory nonessential outdoor water use restrictions effective immediately upon adoption and until further notice.

This action is taken in accordance with the Massachusetts Drought Management Plan, the Water Management Act (M.G.L. c. 21G), and the applicable regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), in response to below-normal precipitation, groundwater levels, and streamflow conditions affecting the region.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES
Effective immediately, the following mandatory restrictions apply to all water customers of the Town of Plainville:

Restricted Uses (Nonessential Outdoor Water Use): All nonessential outdoor water uses, including but not limited to automatic and manual lawn irrigation, irrigation of shrubs and trees by sprinkler or hose, washing of vehicles, filling of swimming pools or hot tubs, and washing of hard surfaces such as driveways, sidewalks, and patios, are restricted as follows:
• Nonessential outdoor watering is permitted for no more than one (1) day per week.
• On the permitted watering day, outdoor watering may only occur before 9:00 a.m. and after 5:00 p.m.
• Outdoor watering is prohibited between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on all days to reduce evaporative loss and conserve water supply.

Permitted Exception — Ornamentals and Flower Gardens:
Notwithstanding the above restrictions, the watering of ornamentals and flower gardens by means of drip irrigation, hand-held hose, or watering can is permitted on any day of the week, provided such watering occurs only before 9:00 a.m. or after 5:00 p.m.

PERMITTED WATERING DAY SCHEDULE
All properties in the Town of Plainville are permitted to conduct nonessential outdoor watering one (1) day per week, using the Plainville Municipal Pickup Day for your street.

(Residents uncertain of their watering day are encouraged to contact the Department of Public Works at (508) 695-6871 x820.)

WHAT IS NOT RESTRICTED
The following uses are not subject to these restrictions:
• Water used for health and safety purposes
• Irrigation needed to establish newly seeded or sodded lawns or plantings during the months of May and September (if the order is still in effect as of September)
• Irrigation of newly planted lawns for homes or businesses newly constructed within the previous twelve (12) months
• Agricultural operations, including maintenance of livestock, crops, and vegetable gardens
• Watering of ornamentals and flower gardens by drip irrigation, hand-held hose, or watering can (before 9:00 a.m. or after 5:00 p.m., any day)

ENFORCEMENT
Violations of these restrictions are subject to enforcement pursuant to the Town’s bylaws and applicable state regulations. Enforcement will initially focus on education and outreach; however, fines may be assessed for violations.

CONSERVATION TIPS
The Town encourages all residents and businesses to take the following steps to conserve water during this drought period:
• Check and fix leaky faucets, toilets, and irrigation systems
• Install WaterSense-certified fixtures
• Water lawns and gardens deeply but infrequently to encourage deep root growth
• Use rain barrels to collect rainwater for garden use
• Avoid watering within 48 hours after measurable rainfall

For additional water conservation tips and resources, visit: www.mass.gov/info-details/drought-tips-tools-resources

CONTACT
For questions regarding these restrictions or to report a violation, please contact:

Town of Plainville Department of Public Works
Phone: (508) 695-6871 x820
Website: www.plainville.ma.us

These restrictions will remain in effect until the Select Board votes to rescind or modify them based on updated drought status information from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Mowing tips! Here are some good things to remember when caring for you lawn this summer.-Mow your lawn less often. Try t...
06/09/2026

Mowing tips! Here are some good things to remember when caring for you lawn this summer.
-Mow your lawn less often. Try to keep your lawn at least 3" in height to minimize w**d growth, reduce the need for watering, and decrease the likelihood of pests.
-Change your mowing pattern regularly to evenly distribute grass clippings and prevent ruts or irregular growth patterns.
-Leave grass clippings on your lawn. They contain high amounts of nitrogen, a key ingredient in fertilizer, and they help retain moisture.

06/04/2026

LOCAL BUDGET WIN: I secured $45,000 for radios for Plainville Department of Public Works vehicles in the Town of Plainville. This special project funding comes in above and beyond the $1,023,684 in general funds and $3,291,813 in school funds for Plainville, plus $8,675,978 for King Philip, also secured in the FY27 Senate budget.

Pool season is right around the corner - remember only stormwater should be placed down the storm drain. Anything else, ...
06/04/2026

Pool season is right around the corner - remember only stormwater should be placed down the storm drain. Anything else, including pool water, is considered a pollutant and could harm water quality in our lakes, rivers, and streams.

The Plainville Department of Public Works is continuously jeopardized by cross connections unless appropriate valves, kn...
06/02/2026

The Plainville Department of Public Works is continuously jeopardized by cross connections unless appropriate valves, known as backflow prevention devices, are installed and maintained. We continually survey all industrial, commercial, and institutional facilities in Plainville to make sure all potential cross connections have been identified and eliminated or properly protected by a backflow prevention device. We also inspect and test each backflow preventer to make sure that it is providing maximum protection. Please call the Water and Sewer Operations Supervisor at 508-695-6871, ext. 202 with any questions you may have regarding cross connections and backflows.

If you are the owner or manager of a property that is being used as a commercial, industrial or institutional facility you must have your property's plumbing system surveyed for cross-connection by Certified Water and Sewer personnel. If your property has NOT been surveyed for cross-connection please contact the Water and Sewer Operations Center at 508-695-6871 for a survey. The Massachusetts Drinking Water Regulations, 310 CMR 22, requires all public water systems to have an approved and fully implemented Cross-connection Control Program (CCCP). The Plainville Department of Public Works is working diligently to protect the public health of its drinking water customers from the hazardous caused by unprotected cross connections through the implementation of its cross-connection survey program, elimination or proper protection of all identified cross-connections, the registration of all cross-connections protected by a reduced pressure backflow preventers (RPBPs) or a double check valve assemblies (DCVAs), and the implementation of a testing program for all RPBPs and DCVAs.

Did You Know? That Not Maintaining Your Septic System Can Cause Stormwater Pollution? Stormwater pollution is a common p...
05/28/2026

Did You Know? That Not Maintaining Your Septic System Can Cause Stormwater Pollution? Stormwater pollution is a common problem that can arise from poorly maintained septic systems. When a septic system is not functioning properly, excess water from heavy rainfall or flooding can cause the system to overflow, leading to sewage and other contaminants being discharged into nearby streams, rivers, or lakes.

Scoop the P**p Doesn't Just Apply to Dogs...It might not seem like a stormwater problem, but animal waste is one of the ...
05/26/2026

Scoop the P**p Doesn't Just Apply to Dogs...
It might not seem like a stormwater problem, but animal waste is one of the many seemingly small sources of pollution that can add up to big problems for water quality, and even human health. Animal waste contains two main types of pollutants that harm local waters: nutrients and pathogens. When this waste ends up in water bodies, it decomposes, releasing nutrients that cause excessive growth of algae and w**ds. This makes the water murky, green, smelly, and even unusable for swimming, boating, or fishing. The pathogens, disease-causing bacteria and viruses, can also make local waters unswimmable and unfishable, and have caused severe illness in humans. Animal waste doesn’t simply decompose. The easiest way to avoid these problems is to clean up after your pet each and every time, and dispose of the waste properly!

🚧💧🚜 Happy National Public Works Week! 🚜💧🚧This week, the Plainville Department of Public Works proudly recognizes the har...
05/19/2026

🚧💧🚜 Happy National Public Works Week! 🚜💧🚧

This week, the Plainville Department of Public Works proudly recognizes the hardworking employees who keep our community running every day. From maintaining roads and sidewalks to ensuring safe drinking water, managing storm response, maintaining parks, and supporting critical infrastructure, our DPW team works tirelessly behind the scenes to serve the residents of Plainville.

Their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to public service make a difference in our community every single day. Please join us in thanking all of our Public Works employees for the important work they do! 👏

Address

29 West Bacon Street, P. O. Box 1717
Plainville, MA
02762

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 3:30pm
Tuesday 7am - 3:30pm
Wednesday 7am - 3:30pm
Thursday 7am - 3:30pm
Friday 7am - 3:30pm

Telephone

(508) 699-2071

Website

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