Outdoor Water Restrictions in the Neponset Watershed

Outdoor water restrictions have been implemented according to MA state drought requirements and your cooperation is needed.

Please visit your town website for the most up-to-date outdoor water restrictions.

Click here for the latest US Drought Monitor Listing

Scroll down the page to see more details about individual town water restrictions within the Neponset River Watershed.

Last updated on August 14, 2020. For the latest restrictions, check your town website.

Canton

Mandatory restrictions on outdoor water use are in place from May 1st through September 30th. Under these restrictions, non-essential outdoor water use:

Is limited to two days per week.
Must take place between 5pm and 9am.

Uses subject to this restriction include:

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

For more detailed information, visit the Town of Canton Water & Sewer Division website or call the Canton Water and Sewer Department at 781-821-5017.

Dedham (Dedham-Westwood Water District)

Mandatory Outside Watering Restrictions are implemented and effective Wednesday July 29, 2020 due to lack of sufficient rainfall and dropping Neponset River level.

Until further notice, customers may water lawns:

in Dedham on Mondays and Thursdays
in Westwood on Tuesdays and Fridays

The hours of watering on permitted days are limited to 6-9 AM and 6-9 PM.

Hand-held hoses may be used at any time to water flowers or vegetables.

Questions should be directed to the Customer Service Office at 781-329-7090.

For the most up-to-date restrictions, please consult the Dedham-Westwood Water District website for water use restrictions.

Foxborough

Effective May 27, 2020, the Town of Foxboro has instituted a full water ban to maintain supply levels necessary for fire protection. This ban prohibits non-essential outdoor water use.

Currently prohibited uses include:

Lawn irrigation
Washing of cars, other than by means of a commercial car wash, except as necessary for driver safety
Washing of exterior buildings, parking lots, driveways, and sidewalks, except to apply paint, preservatives, stucco, pavement, or cement

To check the status of this ban or if you have other questions regarding water use and conservation, please visit the The Town of Foxborough’s Water & Sewer Department website or call the Water Department at (508) 543-1209.

Medfield

On Friday, August 14, 2020, following a drought declaration declared by the Commonwealth, the Board of Water and Sewer has announced that Medfield is now subject to a Tier 4 Water Restriction. This restriction goes into effect immediately and will remain in effect until further notice.

A Tier 4 water restriction prohibits nonessential water use.

Examples of nonessential outdoor water use that are now prohibited:

Uses that are not required for health or safety reasons
Irrigation of lawns via sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems
Washing of vehicles other than by means of a commercial car wash, except as necessary for operator safety
Washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways or sidewalks, except as necessary to apply paint, preservatives, stucco, pavement or cement

Example of acceptable outdoor water use that is not affected:

Irrigation of lawns, gardens, flowers, and ornamental plants via handheld hoses only

Please note that allowed use is not permitted between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm when evaporation and evapotranspiration are highest.

This water restriction was put into place due to the drought declaration which triggered Restrictions based on Water Management Act Permit. In addition, daily water usage has continued to increase, despite the Tier 3 water restriction that limited water use to every other day. The Town’s water pumps are running significantly more hours per day than is typical, increasing the risk of mechanical issues. In addition, water levels in the Town’s storage tanks have declined.

Water uses not subject to mandatory restrictions are those required:

For health or safety reasons
By regulation
For the production of food and fiber
For the maintenance of livestock
To meet the core functions of a business (for example, irrigation by plant nurseries as necessary to maintain stock).

Consult the Town of Medfield Water & Sewer Division’s website before performing any outdoor watering to check the current restriction tier. Alternatively, residents can call the Water & Sewer Division at 508-906-3002.

Milton

Water is supplied by Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA). Currently there are no outside watering restrictions.

However, conserving water is always a good idea. Click here for outdoor water conservation tips and programs from MWRA.

Norwood

Water is supplied by Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA). Currently there are no outside watering restrictions.

However, conserving water is always a good idea. Click here for outdoor water conservation tips and programs from MWRA.

Randolph

As of June 29, 2020, the Town of Randolph is at Phase 1 water restrictions.

Randolph has instituted a 5-tier system of water use restrictions. Specific restrictions are set based on current conditions.

Check the Town of Randolph Water & Sewer Division’s website before performing any outdoor watering for up-to-date information on what restrictions are in effect. Alternatively, residents may call the Randolph Water Division at 781-961-0942.

Sharon

Outdoor water use restrictions are in effect from May 1 – October 1. Under these restrictions, the following rules apply:

Odd-numbered homes may only use sprinklers on Mondays and Thursdays from 6PM-8AM
Even-numbered homes may only use sprinklers on Tuesdays and Fridays from 6PM-8AM
Residents who choose to use hand-held hoses with spray nozzles may continue to water without restriction

For further information and updates, please check the Town of Sharon’s website for water use restrictions or call the Sharon Water Department at 781-784-1525 x2315.

Stoughton

The Board of Selectmen voted June 25, 2020 to institute a temporary water ban.

This ban states that all non-essential water use is restricted to 1 day per week.

Addresses with even numbers are restricted to non-essential watering on Tuesday’s before 9am and after 5pm.
Addresses with odd numbers are restricted to non-essential watering on Thursday’s before 9am and after 5pm.

This water ban will remain in effect until further notice. Find more info on the Town of Stoughton website.

Walpole

Effective May 4, 2020 all outdoor water use shall be in accordance with the following policy.

LAWN WATERING/NEW OR ESTABLISHED LAWNS

Properties with odd numbered addresses will be allowed to water their lawns on Mondays and Thursdays.
Properties with even numbered address will be allowed to water their lawns on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Lawn watering between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM on any day is prohibited.

OTHER OUTDOOR WATER USE

The following outdoor water uses may be performed on any day or time with a handheld hose equipped with a spring loaded nozzle or watering can.

Watering of vegetable and flower gardens
Watering of ornamental shrubs and/or trees
Car washing/power washing of buildings
Pool filling

This policy is MANDATORY and shall remain in effect until Monday, October 5, 2020. Violators of this policy are subject to fines or other enforcement actions as determined by the Board of Sewer & Water Commissioners.

While this policy may initially be sufficient to manage the increased seasonal demand, more stringent measures and water use restriction up to and including a total ban on outside water use may need to be imposed should conditions warrant.

It is strongly suggested that extensive landscaping such as seeding, reseeding or sodding of lawns not take place during the timeframe of this policy as no waivers to the policy will be granted.

For an up-to-date status on water use restriction, check the Town of Walpole Sewer & Water Department website or call the department at (508) 660-7309.

Westwood (Dedham-Westwood Water District)

Mandatory Outside Watering Restrictions are implemented and effective Wednesday, July 29, 2020 due to lack of sufficient rainfall and dropping Neponset River level.

Until further notice, customers may water lawns:

in Dedham on Mondays and Thursdays
in Westwood on Tuesdays and Fridays

The hours of watering on permitted days are limited to 6-9 AM and 6-9 PM.

Hand-held hoses may be used at any time to water flowers or vegetables.

Questions should be directed to the Customer Service Office at 781-329-7090.

For the most up-to-date restrictions, please consult the Dedham-Westwood Water District website for water use restrictions.

For a list of municipal water use restrictions across Massachusetts, please click here.

–August 2020

Leave a Reply Cancel reply