Water Restrictions

www.mass.gov/info-details/drought-status

Water Restriction Criteria 2023

Level 1 (Mild Drought): 

All nonessential outdoor water uses are restricted to no more than one day per week, before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m., except that watering of ornamentals and flower gardens with drip irrigation, hand-held house or watering cans may be permitted.

Level 2 (Significant Drought): 

All nonessential outdoor water uses are banned, except that watering of ornamentals and flower gardens with drip irrigation, hand-hold hose or watering cans may be permitted.

Level 3 (Critical Drought) or Level 4 (Drought Emergency): 

All nonessential outdoor water uses are banned.

Nonessential outdoor water use means a use that is not required:

1. for health or safety reasons, including public facilities used for cooling such as splash pads and swimming pools, and for washing of boats, engines, or marine equipment to prevent negative saltwater impacts or the transfer of invasive aquatic species;
2. by permit, license, statute or regulation;
3. (for the production of food, including vegetable gardens, and fiber;
4. for the maintenance of livestock;
5.  to meet the core functions (those functions essential to the commercial operations) of a business, including but not limited to:
   
   1. plant nurseries as necessary to maintain stock;
   2. golf courses as necessary to maintain greens and tees, and limited fairway watering per 310 CMR 36.07(2)(c)2.a. through c.;
   3. venues used for weddings or similar special events that limit watering to hand-held hose or drip irrigation as necessary to maintain gardens, flowers and ornamental plants;
   4. professional washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways and/or sidewalks as necessary to apply surface treatments such as paint, preservatives, stucco, pavement, or cement in the course of construction, reconstruction or renovation work;
   
   
6. for irrigation of public parks before 9:00 a.m. and after 5:00 p.m.
7. for irrigation of public and private recreation fields, including those operated by schools, colleges, universities, and athletic associations, before 9:00 a.m. and after 5:00 p.m.
8. for irrigation of publicly-funded shade trees and trees in the public right-of-way; or
9. to establish a new lawn as necessary to stabilize soil in response to new construction or following the repair or replacement of a Title 5 system.