Drought Status
Current Drought Status for Cambridge = Level-2 Significant Drought - All Nonessential Outdoor Water Uses are Banned
April 9, 2025:
Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepper declared the Connecticut River Valley, Central, Southeast and Western regions of the state have been downgraded to a Level 1 – Mild Drought status following two months of above normal precipitation. The Northeast Region will join the Cape and Islands regions at a Level 2 – Significant Drought.
Above-average precipitation over the last couple of months has helped improve streamflow and raise groundwater levels in several regions. However, drought conditions are still affecting the regions in the eastern part of the state due to ongoing precipitation deficits. In most regions of the state, monthly precipitation has generally ranged from around 4 to 6 inches. Over the past three months, precipitation has been near-normal across Central and Northeastern regions, while the Cape and Islands regions have experienced 40 percent below average precipitation for the past six months. The data collected by the Drought Management Task Force (DMTF) reflects the observations made from the start of the drying conditions in August 2024 through the end of March 2025. Residents can report dry environmental conditions they are experiencing and submit photos to support state drought monitoring efforts here.
As outlined in the Massachusetts Drought Management Plan, a Level 1 – Mild Drought, and a Level – 2 Significant Drought require detailed monitoring of drought conditions. These levels also require ongoing coordination among state and federal agencies to implement drought response actions such as water use restrictions. Additionally, engagement with municipalities, including local Boards of Health, is essential. This includes providing technical outreach and assistance to water suppliers and affected municipalities.
The Drought Management Task Force will meet again on Wednesday, May 7 and will update recommendations as necessary. For further information on water conservation and what residents can do, visit the EEA’s drought and water conservation pages.
Level 2 – Significant Drought
Per State regulations ALL NONESSENTIAL OUTDOOR WATER USES ARE BANNED except that watering of ornamentals and flower gardens with drip irrigation, hand-held hose or watering cans may be permitted
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:
l. For withdrawals not described in 310 CMR 36.07(2)©2 or 3., as soon as possible but no later than 24 months an issuance of the registration statement, the registrant shall establish enforceable restrictions limiting nonessential outdoor water use, Such restrictions shall be in place during a drought declaration by the Secretary for the drought region, county or watershed where the registrant's withdrawals are located, and nonessential outdoor water use shall be restricted as follows:
- 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.
- 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,
- 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:
- 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,
- Level 2 (Significant Drought). Irrigation of fairways shall be reduced to 60% normal, and there shall be no irrigation of roughs, landscaping and ornamentals.
- 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