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

December 6, 2024:

With precipitation at an unprecedented low over the last four months, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepper today raised the Cape Cod and Islands regions to a Level 1-Mild Drought. A Level 3-Critical Drought declaration remains in the Western, Connecticut River Valley, Southeast, Central and Northeast regions. As outlined in the Massachusetts Drought Management Plan, a Level 3-Critical Drought and a Level-1 Mild Drought requires detailed monitoring of drought conditions, continued coordination among state and federal agencies to communicate the implementation of water use restrictions, engagement with municipalities including local Boards of Health,  and providing technical outreach assistance to water suppliers and affected municipalities. The Drought Management Task Force will meet monthly to ensure responsive oversight of the drought.

Over the past month, most of the state received between 2 to 4 inches of rain, which is 1.5 to 3.5 inches below normal. The Cape and Islands saw the biggest drop. In recent months, many areas recorded their lowest rainfall ever for this time of the year. Since August, when dry conditions began, the Western, Connecticut River Valley, Southeast, Central and Northeast regions have seen an 8 to 11 inch rainfall deficit while the Cape and Islands are seeing a 3 to 5 inch deficit.

Although the recent rains have helped, streamflow continues to be extremely low across most of the regions. This has resulted in dry brooks and streambeds, increased ponding in streams, exposed beaches and sediments, limited fish passage, and drying ponds. Furthermore, groundwater levels continue to fall in all regions, with the Western, Connecticut River Valley, Central, and Northeast regions showing the largest drops. The recent precipitation has decreased the immediate risk of wildfires. However, as dry conditions persist, we encourage everyone to exercise caution, follow local fire restrictions, ensure all fires are properly extinguished, and remember even a small spark can ignite a fire. Residents can report dry environmental conditions they are experiencing and submit photos to support state drought monitoring efforts here.

The Drought Management Task Force will meet next month and will update recommendations, as necessary.

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