Drought Status
Current Drought Status for Cambridge = Level 1 - Mild Drought
Per City Ordinance
All nonessential outdoor water uses 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 hose or watering cans may be permitted.
USGS Hobbs Reservoir storage data
September 22, 2026 -- The Cambridge Water Department (CWD) wants to make the Cambridge community aware of an update to our region’s water drought status. Recent rainfall has helped ease long-term dry conditions across the region and the State has 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. Due to the severity and persistence of the current drought that began in 2025, Hobbs Brook did not fully recharge last spring and remains in a significant deficit. Normal to Above average rainfall in September and October will be required to help maintain our reservoirs above minimum operating level. If below average rainfall trends continue, the City may need to purchase supplemental water from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) over the coming months to ensure a reliable supply for the community.
Per city ordinance, under a Level 1- Mild drought, required non-essential water restrictions remain in place.
Level 1 - Mild Drought
All nonessential outdoor water uses 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 hose or watering cans may be permitted.
Below are recommendations for residents, business owners, and building managers during a Level 1 - Mild Drought, including those utilizing a private well. Strong adherence to these recommendations will help preserve existing reservoir levels.
For Regions in Level 1 - Mild Drought
Plant only local and drought-resistant species;
Fix indoor leaks, such as from toilets, faucets, and showers, which result in more than 60 percent of indoor use;
For larger buildings and businesses, conduct water audits to identify areas of leaks and potential water conservation opportunities;
Minimize lawn sizes; and,
Harvest rainwater for outdoor watering.
For questions or more information, please contact the Cambridge Water Department at 617-349-4770, email CWD@cambridgema.gov or visit: https://www.cambridgema.gov/Water.
For Level 2 – Significant Drought Status
In response to the ongoing drought, Cambridge has implemented strict water use restrictions.
All nonessential outdoor water use is currently prohibited, including:
• Private Residential Sprinkler Systems: Both above ground and installed underground sprinklers
• Filling pools
• Washing cars
• Pressure washing patios or sidewalks
Only outdoor water use deemed essential is allowed, such as for:
• Health and safety (e.g., firefighting, municipal pipe flushing, splash pads)
• Growing food, including vegetable gardens
• Core business functions
• Irrigation of public and private recreation fields (limited to off-peak hours – before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m.)
o Golf course watering must also follow specific reductions during droughts, including reductions to irrigation of fairways and no watering of ornamentals during higher-level droughts.
• Private and Publicly funded shade trees and new lawn establishment post-construction
For a full list of essential uses, visit: Drought Status | Mass.gov
Residents, businesses and other organizations are encouraged to be mindful of water use and to help promote water conservation. This will help allow our water reservoir system to recharge, while maintaining water quality.
Residents and Businesses are strongly recommended to:
• Minimize overall water use
• Follow local water use restrictions
• Fix any toilet or faucet leaks immediately. Check for leaks in homes and businesses regularly by:
o Checking water meters for constant dial movement
o Using dye tabs to check for toilet leaks
o Conducting regular inspections of all pipes and fixtures, including those located in utility rooms, crawlspaces, and other hidden areas
• Use the MA Home Water Use Calculator tool to evaluate household water use.
Aggressively reduce indoor water use by:
• Reducing shower length and consider using a shower timer
• Running washing machines only on a full load
• Not letting water run while brushing and shaving
• Replacing old fixtures and appliances with water-efficient ones. Make sure toilets, faucets, and showerheads are WaterSense labeled.
• You can conserve water in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, checking for leaks, and replacing appliances. Tips are available at Water Conservation - Water - City of Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Drought Ordinance and Enforcement Reminders
In January 2023, amendments to the Massachusetts Water Management Act were passed requiring all public water suppliers to establish enforceable restrictions limiting non-essential outdoor water use during any drought declarations by the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs. On April 7, 2025, the Cambridge City Council’s Ordinance Committee ordained the proposed updates to the Cambridge Municipal Code (Chapters 13.08 and 13.12) to strengthen local drought response and enforcement. These amendments are aligned with state guidance under 310 CMR 36.00.
Key updates included:
• The City Manager or Managing Director of the Water Department must restrict non-essential outdoor water use during a state-declared drought.
• The Water Board may impose stricter restrictions than the state minimum if necessary.
• Enforceable Penalties for water ban violations were established.
ANY VIOLATION OF THE WATER USE RESTRICTIONS will now result in the following penalties:
• WARNING FOR 1ST VIOLATION
• $100 FINE FOR 2nd VIOLATION
• $200 FOR 3rd VIOLATION
• $300/PER DAY FOR EACH SUBSEQUENT VIOLATION
Violations may be enforced through criminal or noncriminal proceedings by designated City staff, police officers, or the Animal Commission.
Drought status updates will be published on the Water Department’s website, the City’s Daily Update newsletter, social media accounts, media outlets, and by other means reasonably calculated to reach and inform all users of water of the state of water supply conservation.
For questions or more information, please contact the Cambridge Water Department at 617-349-4770, email CWD@cambridgema.gov or visit: https://www.cambridgema.gov/Water.