Cambridge Drought Status Downgraded to Level 1 - Mild Drought

The Cambridge Water Department (CWD) wants to make the Cambridge community aware of the latest water drought status.

The State has announced that Cambridge and the Northeast Region of the Commonwealth will be downgraded from a Level 2- Significant Drought to a Level 1 – Mild Drought.

Recent rains have been extremely helpful in alleviating long-term dry conditions. To ensure a system wide recovery from drought a substantial amount of precipitation is needed, in addition to increased groundwater levels. 

Below are recommendations for communities and individuals living and working within a Level 1 – Mild Drought, including those utilizing a private well.

For Regions in Level 1 – Mild Drought 

• Minimize overall water use;
• Limit outdoor watering to one day per week from 5:00 PM to 9:00 AM, or less frequently if required by your water supplier;
• 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.