Water Department news and project updates.
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10/20/2026
Cambridge and the Northeast Region have recently been elevated from a Level 1 – Mild Drought to a Level 2 – Significant Drought.
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9/22/2026
The State has recently announced that Cambridge and the Northeast Region of the Commonwealth has been downgraded from a Level 2- Significant Drought to a Level 1 - Mild Drought. Despite this improvement, Cambridge’s primary water source - the Hobbs Brook Storage Reservoir - remains well below normal levels.
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8/11/2026
The Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) has reduced the Cambridge and Northeast region drought level status from a Level 3 - Critical Drought to a Level 2 - Significant Drought. Cambridge has been in a Critical Drought since late May 2026.
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8/11/2026
While Fresh Pond holds roughly 1.5 billion gallons of water, it is part of a carefully managed system.
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5/27/2026
The City and broader region was previously in a Level 2 - Significant Drought before being elevated to a Level 3 – Critical Drought last week.
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5/12/2026
Under a Level 2 -- Significant Drought, overall water use should be minimized and any outdoor water use should be limited to hand-held hoses or watering cans to be used only after 5 p.m. or before 9 a.m.
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4/10/2026
Cambridge and the Northeast Region of the Commonwealth have recently been downgraded from a Level 2- Significant Drought to a Level 1 – Mild Drought.
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3/11/2026
Despite the considerable snowfall that Cambridge and the greater region has had this winter, drought conditions have been elevated due to limited groundwater recharge this winter. The Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) elevated the Northeast Region of Massachusetts, which includes Cambridge, from a Level 2 - Significant Drought to a Level 3 - Critical Drought earlier this week. In response to the ongoing drought, Cambridge has implemented strict water use restrictions.
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1/14/2026
The Cambridge Water Department (CWD) would like to inform the Cambridge community about the latest water drought status. In mid-January, the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) elevated the Cambridge and Northeast region drought level status to Level 2 (Significant Drought). All nonessential outdoor water use is currently prohibited.
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9/11/2025
Under a Level 2 (Significant Drought), all nonessential outdoor water uses remain banned, except the watering of ornamentals and flower gardens with drip irrigation. Hand-held hose or watering cans may be permitted.