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Drought Status

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Current Drought Status for Cambridge = Level 3 Critical Drought - All Nonessential Outdoor Water Uses are Banned

With precipitation at an unprecedented low over the last two months, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepper has declared the Western, Connecticut River Valley, and Southeast regions to be a Level 2- Significant Drought and elevated the Central and Northeast Regions to a Level 3- Critical Drought. The Cape and Islands Regions remain at a Level 0- Normal Drought. As outlined in the Massachusetts Drought Management Plan, Level 2 and 3 Droughts require detailed monitoring of drought conditions, close coordination among state and federal agencies, and technical outreach and assistance to the affected municipalities.

Overall, rainfall was well below average for the month of October, with many locations recording their lowest rainfall ever. The exceptionally dry conditions have led to record low streamflows in certain parts of the state, raising concerns for migratory fish and other aquatic species. Multiple reservoirs across the state are also starting to experience decreases in water levels. Dry conditions have also led to an increase in wildfire occurrence and intensity, prompting the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to implement a temporary ban on all open flame and charcoal fires within state park properties. As firefighting efforts demand significant water resources, it's crucial for residents to practice aggressive indoor water conservation to maintain sufficient supply and pressure in public water systems. Everyone is also urged to exercise caution with grills and open flames, ensuring that all fires are properly extinguished.

The Drought Management Task Force will meet biweekly in the coming months to ensure responsive oversight of the drought.

Below are recommendations for communities and individuals living and working within Level 3 – Critical Drought and Level 2 – Significant Drought Regions, including those utilizing a private well. Residents and businesses are also asked to check with their local water system in case more stringent watering restrictions are in place:

For Region in Level 3 - Critical Drought  

Per State regulations ALL NONESSENTIAL OUTDOOR WATER USES ARE BANNED.

Additionally the State has issued the following recommendations for Residents and Businesses:

• Minimize overall water use  
• Follow local water use restrictions
• Fix any toilet or faucet leaks immediately
• Aggressively reduce indoor water use by taking shorter showers, running dishwashers and washing machines only on a full load 

WATER MANAGEMENT ACT (WMA) REVISIONS – Effective January 20, 2023
Nonessential Outdoor Water Use - State Drought Level Water Restrictions 
Per Massachusetts 310 CMR 36.07 (2) (c) 

Restrictions on Nonessential Outdoor Water Use as follows:

1. Level I (Mild All nonessential outdoor water uses restricted to no more than one day per week, before 9:00 A.M. and after 5:00 P.M., except that watering of ornamentals and flower gardens with drip irrigation, hand-held hose or watering cans may be permitted.
2. Level 2 (Significant Drought), All nonessential outdoor water uses banned, except that watering of ornamentals and flower gardens with drip irrigation, hand-held hose or watering cans may be permitted,
3. Level 3 (Critical Drought) or Level 4 (Drought Emergency). All nonessential outdoor water uses are banned.

2. For withdrawals for the maintenance of golf course greens, tees, fairways, and roughs during a drought declaration by the Secretary for the drought region, county or watershed where the registration withdrawals are located. registrants shall comply with the following restrictions on nonessential outdoor water use:

1. Level 1 (Mild Drought). Irrigation of fairways shall be reduced to 80% normal, irrigation of roughs shall be reduced to 50% of normal, and there shall be no irrigation of landscaping and ornamentals,
2. Level 2 (Significant Drought). Irrigation of fairways shall be reduced to 60% normal, and there shall be no irrigation of roughs, landscaping and ornamentals.
3. Level 3 (Critical Drought) or Level 4 (Drought Emergency). Irrigation of fairways shall be reduced to 40% of normal, and there shall be no irrigation of roughs, landscaping and ornamentals.

The Water Management Program regulations, effective January 20, 2023, define nonessential outdoor water use as every use that is not required for essential purposes (310 CMR 36.02).

NONESSENTIAL OUTDOOR WATER USE RESTRICTIONS 

 The following is a list of outdoor water uses identified in the regulations that will not be restricted under the new conditions in the Massachusetts Water Management Act

(a) health or safety - includes outdoor uses like fire-fighting and municipal pipe flushing to prevent contaminants in water supply pipes, as well as 
• public facilities used for cooling such as splash pads and swimming pools
• for washing of boats, engines, or marine equipment to prevent negative saltwater impacts or the transfer of invasive aquatic species
(b) by permit, license, statute or regulation; 

(c) for the production of food, including vegetable gardens, and fiber
(d) for maintenance of livestock;
(e) to meet the core functions (those functions essential to the commercial operations) of a business,
(f) for irrigation of public parks before 9:00 a.m. and after 5:00 p.m.,
(g) 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.,
(h) for irrigation of publicly funded shade trees and trees in the public right-of-way;
(i) 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.

(For a more detailed description of non-restricted essential water uses refer to the, Mass DEP Guidance on Nonessential Outdoor Water Use document included below.

Golf courses are considered exempt and allowed to water as necessary to maintain greens and tees, and limited fairway watering per 310 CMR 36.07(2)(c)2.a. through c.; as summarized in the Mass DEP figure 1 below;

Figure 1 – Mass DEP Golf Course Watering Restrictions

As of January 20, 2023 MassDEP revised sections of its Water Management Act Regulations, 310 CMR 36.00. In Cambridge, this now means that a new condition has been imposed that requires the City to restrict "nonessential outdoor water use" during times of drought declared by the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

All nonessential water use restrictions are discussed in section 36.07 Registration Conditions and depend on the level of drought declared.

For more information about the state Water Management Act, Water Resources Management Program, and Regulations, see below links

https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter21G

https://www.mass.gov/water-management-act-program

https://www.mass.gov/regulations/310-CMR-3600-massachusetts-water-resources-management-program

Additional Drought Related Resources

https://www.mass.gov/service-details/current-drought-status

https://www.drought.gov/drought/states/massachusetts