Significant Drought Conditions & Water Use Restrictions In Effect in Cambridge

The Cambridge Water Department would like to inform the community that Cambridge and the Northeast Region have recently been elevated from a Level 1 - Mild Drought to a Level 2 - Significant Drought.

Per City ordinance, under a Level 2 (Significant Drought), all nonessential outdoor water uses remain banned, except the watering of ornamentals and flower gardens with drip irrigation. Hand-held hose or watering cans may be permitted.

Residents and Businesses are strongly recommended to:

Minimize overall water use

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

For larger buildings and businesses, conduct water audits to identify areas of leaks and potential water conservation opportunities.
Use the MA Home Water Use Calculator tool to evaluate household water use.

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

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. It is important to note that Cambridge's primary water source -- the Hobbs Brook Storage Reservoir -- continues to remain well below normal levels. Due to the severity and persistence of the current drought that began in 2025, Hobbs Brook did not fully recharge in the spring and remains in a significant deficit. Though recent rainfall has provided about one month additional storage, current levels are still approximately 36% below the 15-year average.

Normal or average rainfall during the remainder of October through mid-November will still be required to help maintain our reservoirs above minimum operating level. If below average rainfall trends continue, the City may need to purchase supplemental water from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) over the coming months to ensure a reliable supply for the community.

Residents, businesses and other organizations are encouraged to be mindful of water use and to help promote water conservation. This will help allow our water reservoir system to recharge, while maintaining water quality.

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.