WILTON – On Monday, Aug. 15, the Board of Selectmen voted to impose restrictions on outside watering effective on Friday, Aug. 19. There is to be no outside watering. The ban applies to users of the town’s water system, but owners of private wells are advised to also restrict outside watering.

The ban has been imposed by the state because of the low level of the Souhegan River, one of two protected rivers in the state.

During discussion of imposing the ban, Selectman Chairman Kermit Williams said the criteria for the ban is a flow of 17 cubic feet per second in the river. “The Souhegan is down to eight.”

The last time the river was recorded as being that low was in 1965. This portion of the state is officially in “drought conditions.”

Water System Superintendent Mike Bergeron told the Board he has seen little decrease in water levels, and the town will be able to meet demands. “We’re safe,” he said. “We don’t have a water emergency.” The town is served by two wells, and one was down nine feet, he said, “leaving 40 feet of water in the well.”

Water Commissioner Tom Schultz said his commission agrees that the ban “should begin immediately.” He emphasized that the ban applies only to users of the municipal system.

The ban also applies to the Milford portion of Pine Valley which the system serves, but Milford also borders the Souhegan and will be under the state restriction.

“We were notified on Friday,” Schultz said, “because one of our wells is close to the river”.

The high school, which can be exempted, is one of the largest water uses. Williams said they will be asked to consider the water they use on the athletic fields.

Schultz said a “small leak had been discovered near the elementary school” and that will be repaired next week by the Highway Department.

The ban will remain in effect until the level of the river rises.