Needham residents can only water their lawns and gardens with a handheld hose or watering can, and only before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. Those mandatory Level 2 restrictions have been in place since Thursday, June 11, and the town confirmed Friday, July 24, that the restrictions remain in force.

Sprinkler systems, irrigation systems, and unattended hoses are all banned.

The restrictions trace back to a June 8 vote by the Massachusetts Drought Management Task Force, which recommended placing the Southeast Region — including Needham and Dedham — at Level 2, Significant Drought. Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper made the official declaration June 9.

What Dedham residents should know

The Dedham-Westwood Water District implemented its own Level 2 mandatory restrictions effective Wednesday, June 17. Under those rules, all nonessential outdoor water use is banned except watering ornamentals and flower gardens with drip irrigation, a handheld hose, or watering cans.

In a June 10 press release announcing the restrictions, Dedham-Westwood Water District Executive Director Blake Lukis said groundwater and streamflow levels across the Southeast Region had decreased from April to May, and that "the recharge of lakes and reservoirs remained insufficient," even though May brought some precipitation.

Enforcement and exemptions

DPW Director Carys Lustig said the department favors education over fines, according to a July 17 newsletter. Some athletic fields and businesses receive exemptions under state rules.

Statewide picture

As of July 9, the entire Commonwealth was at Level 2 or higher, with the Northeast Region elevated to Level 3, Critical Drought, where all non-essential outdoor watering is prohibited entirely, according to WAMC reporting. No source has confirmed whether those designations have changed since.

Resources

The town posts drought updates on signage around Needham and on its water restrictions page. The state's conservation tips are available here.

Residents with questions can call Needham DPW at 781-455-7550, ext. 0.