Needham residents can water lawns Sundays again.

The town downgraded its outdoor water restrictions from Level 2 (Significant Drought) to Level 1 (Mild Drought) effective Monday, Aug. 10, after Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper lowered the drought designation for the entire Southeast Region, according to a town alert posted Aug. 11.

The region had been under Level 2 restrictions since June 11, roughly 60 days.

Under the old Level 2 rules, sprinklers and irrigation systems were banned entirely. Only handheld hoses and watering cans were allowed, seven days a week, before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m.

Under the new Level 1 rules, residents may use sprinklers and irrigation systems for outdoor watering on Sundays only, before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. Handheld watering with a hose or watering can remains permitted seven days a week.

The restrictions are mandatory. Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection regulations under the Water Management Act require the town to match its rules to the state-declared drought level.

The state's drought status page shows Massachusetts received between 4.5 and nearly 9.5 inches of rain during July, above typical levels for the month. That rainfall helped replenish rivers, streams and soil, though groundwater recovers more slowly, which is why drought conditions persist rather than lifting entirely.

Secretary Tepper's Friday, Aug. 7 declaration also returned the Western Region and Dukes County to normal conditions.

The Dedham-Westwood Water District plans to implement its own Level 1 mandatory restrictions on Monday, Aug. 17, one week after Needham's took effect, according to the district's website.

As we reported July 24, both towns had been operating under the same Level 2 restrictions since mid-June.

The Massachusetts Drought Management Task Force meets again on Aug. 20 to review conditions and determine whether further changes are warranted. The current Level 1 restrictions remain in effect until the next state declaration.

Needham DPW was not immediately available for comment. Residents can check their status at needhamma.gov/waterrestrictions or contact the department at 781-455-7550, extension 0.