Stonington — Two weeks after asking Pawcatuck residents to take voluntary measures to conserve water because of the ongoing drought, the Board of Selectmen now has implemented mandatory restrictions.

The selectmen made their decision Wednesday night after receiving a request from Westerly officials who have implemented mandatory measures for their residents, who, like Pawcatuck, are served by the Westerly Water Co.

First Selectman Rob Simmons said Westerly officials reported that conservation measures so far only have resulted in a marginal decrease in water use and there had been grumbling that Stonington had not reciprocated, so people were not taking the measures seriously.

Simmons said the town is now implementing mandatory measures out of consideration for the drought as well as a sense of fairness and equity.

He said enforcement will be determined by state law and town charter.

The mandatory measures mean that people with even-numbered addresses can use water for outdoor activities, such as watering lawns, filling pools and washing cars, only on even-numbered days, while those with odd-numbered addresses can use water for those things only on odd-numbered days.