Massachusetts Irrigation Program

Massachusetts Drought Status

The Massachusetts drought status map has designated some regions with Aquarion water systems in drought. Let's use our water resources wisely to ensure adequate supplies for drinking, fire protection, and overall public health.

Aquarion Water Systems with Nonessential Outdoor Water Use Restrictions

For Millbury and Oxford Customers

Drought Level - Level 1 Mild Drought

Nonessential outdoor water use is allowed one day per week

Last Digit of Your Address Number	Nonessential Outdoor Water Use Is Allowed Only at the Following Times
0, 2, 4, 6 or 8 (even numbers)	Sunday Before 9:00 am and after 5:00 pm
1, 3, 5, 7 or 9 (odd numbers)	Saturday Before 9:00 am and after 5:00 pm
No address number	Sunday Before 9:00 am and after 5:00 pm

For Dover (Including Springdale Farms) and Ponds of Plymouth Customers

Nonessential outdoor water use is allowed two days per week
In effect from May 1 to September 30 unless drought is declared
Nonessential outdoor water usage is restricted by the Water Management Act Permit to two days per week due to historically high water usage, as measured by residential gallons per capita per day (rgpcd). Water usage has exceeded the state standard of 65 rgcpd.

Last Digit of Your Address Number	Nonessential Outdoor Water Use Is Allowed Only at the Following Times
0, 2, 4, 6 or 8 (even numbers)	Sunday & Wednesday Before 9:00 am and after 5:00 pm
1, 3, 5, 7 or 9 (odd numbers)	Saturday & Tuesday Before 9:00 am and after 5:00 pm
No address number	Sunday & Wednesday Before 9:00 am and after 5:00 pm

For Pinehills Customers

Nonessential outdoor water use is allowed two days per week
In effect from May 1 to September 30 unless drought is declared

Last Digit of Your Address Number	Nonessential Outdoor Water Use Is Allowed Only at the Following Times
0, 2, 4, 6 or 8 (even numbers)	Sunday & Wednesday Before 7:00 am and after 7:00 pm
1, 3, 5, 7 or 9 (odd numbers)	Saturday & Tuesday Before 7:00 am and after 7:00 pm
No address number	Sunday & Wednesday Before 7:00 am and after 7:00 pm

For Sheffield Customers

No water use restrictions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What outdoor water uses are considered non-essential and therefore subject to mandatory restrictions?

irrigation of lawns via sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems;
washing of vehicles, except in a commercial car wash or as necessary for operator safety; and
washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways or sidewalks, except as necessary to apply surface treatments such as paint, preservatives, stucco, pavement, or cement.

What water uses are NOT subject to mandatory restrictions (Oxford)?

Water uses NOT subject to mandatory restrictions include essential watering activities:

for health or safety reasons, including public facilities used for cooling such as splash pads and swimming pools, and for washing of boats, engines, or marine equipment to prevent negative saltwater impacts or the transfer of invasive aquatic species;
by permit, license, statute or regulation;
for the production of food, including vegetable gardens, and fiber;
for the maintenance of livestock;
to meet the core functions (those functions essential to the commercial operations) of a business, including but not limited to:
1. plant nurseries as necessary to maintain stock;
2. golf courses as necessary to maintain greens and tees, and limited fairway watering per 310 CMR 36.07(2)(c)2.a. through c.;
3. venues used for weddings or similar special events that limit watering to hand-held hose or drip irrigation as necessary to maintain gardens, flowers and ornamental plants;
4. professional washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways and/or sidewalks as necessary to apply surface treatments such as paint, preservatives, stucco, pavement, or cement in the course of construction, reconstruction or renovation work;
for irrigation of public parks before 9:00 a.m. and after 5:00 p.m.,
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.,
for irrigation of publicly-funded shade trees and trees in the public right-of-way; or
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.
watering of ornamentals and flower gardens with drip irrigation, hand-held hose, or watering can.

What outdoor water uses are NOT subject to the mandatory restrictions (Millbury, Dover, Ponds of Plymouth, and Pinehills)?

irrigation to establish a new lawn and new plantings during the months of May and September;
irrigation of public parks and recreational fields by means of automatic sprinklers outside the hours
of 9 am to 5 pm; and
irrigation of lawns, gardens, flowers and ornamental plants by means of a hand-held hose.
other water uses NOT subject to mandatory restrictions include essential watering activities:
- for health or safety reasons;
- by regulation;
- for the maintenance of livestock; or
- to meet the core functions of a business (for example, irrigation by golf courses as necessary to
- maintain tees, greens, and limited fairway watering, or irrigation by plant nurseries as necessary to
- maintain stock).

Why is Aquarion implementing water restriction measures?

Through the Water Management Act, MassDEP regulates the amount of water that all water suppliers in Massachusetts can withdraw from the environment from its sources (e.g. wells). The irrigation schedule will help ensure that our water systems are in compliance with the WMA permit limits and requirements.

Where can I find information on lawn and garden care?

Visit http://www.nsrwa.org/watersmart/greenscapes/ for tips on lawn and garden care. According to Greenscapes:

Grass grows the deepest and healthiest roots with infrequent watering.
Watering two days a week is more than adequate to have a beautiful lawn. In fact, research has shown that grass thrives with about an inch of rain a week - some supplied by Mother Nature and the rest by just one watering.

You can also visit our page.

I use my own private well for irrigation; do these restrictions apply to me?

No. The restrictions do not apply to irrigation systems that are supplied with water from a private well. However, local ordinances/bylaws might apply. Please check with local officials.

Who regulates the amount of water that water utilities can withdraw from the environment?

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) regulates and closely monitors the quantity of water that water utilities withdraw from the environment.

Tips for Watering Your Lawn and Garden

Landscapes can thrive with water twice a week or even less.

Learn More