Cambridge and Northeast Region’s Drought Status Elevated to Significant Drought

The Secretary of the Commonwealth's Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) has elevated the Cambridge and Northeast region drought level status from a Mild Drought to a Significant Drought. Under a Level 2 -- Significant Drought , overall water use should be minimized and any outdoor water use should be limited to hand-held hoses or watering cans to be used only after 5 p.m. or before 9 a.m.

"The Cambridge Water Department carefully monitors the City's water supply system on a weekly basis to ensure an adequate supply of water is available to meet the needs of our residents, businesses, and organizations," said Mark Gallagher, Managing Director, Cambridge Water Department. "While local water supplies are currently stable, the persistence of drought conditions, combined with the start of growing season and increased water demand, makes continued conservation even more important."

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:
  • Checking water meters for constant dial movement
  • Using dye tabs to check for toilet leaks
  • Conducting regular inspections of all pipes and fixtures, including those located in utility rooms, crawlspaces, and other hidden areas

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.
• Conserving water in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room by checking for leaks and replacing appliances. Tips are available at Water Conservation - Water - City of Cambridge.

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 [email protected] or visit: https://www.cambridgema.gov/Water.