Please review the following press release from the Dedham-Westwood Water District regarding downgraded drought status and restrictions, effective April 28:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 4/9/25

For further information, contact:
Allyssa Lane
Tel: 781-461-2782

Dedham and Westwood Drought Declaration Downgraded from Level 2, Significant Drought to Level 1, Mild Drought Conditions;

With the Change in the Drought Declaration, Level 1 – Mandatory Water Restrictions to Take Effect on Monday, April 28,
Allowing Outdoor Watering One Day a Week

Dedham, MA— Effective today, Wednesday, April 9, the Massachusetts Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)/Drought Management Task Force downgraded the drought declaration for the Southeast Region of the Commonwealth from Level 2 Significant Drought Conditions to Level 1, Mild Drought Conditions. With the change in drought conditions, effective April 28, the District will implement Level 1—Mandatory Water Restrictions, as stipulated in the District’s Registration Statements set forth by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. The drought level change supersedes the previous restriction announcement, which prohibited outdoor watering.

Level 1 is mandatory unless otherwise declared by the Commonwealth. All nonessential outdoor water uses are restricted to no more than one day per week, before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m., except that watering ornamentals and flower gardens with drip irrigation, hand-held hose, or watering cans may be permitted.

Allowable watering days are based on the first letter of the street name of the service address:

• Monday: Street names beginning with A through C
• Tuesday: Street names beginning with D through J
• Thursday: Street names beginning with K through R
• Friday: Street names beginning with S through Z

“At Monday’s Drought Management Task Force Meeting, the District learned that the Southeast Region of the State is now experiencing mild drought conditions,” said Executive Director Blake Lukis. “With the increased precipitation we’ve experienced recently, combined with close to normal streamflow and groundwater levels, it is positive to see our region trending towards normal conditions.”

For drought management purposes, Dedham and Westwood are located in the Southeast Region of the Commonwealth. Per the District’s Water Withdrawal Registration Statement, all drought declarations made by the EEA/Drought Management Task Force for our region must be adhered to.

Customers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the new restriction levels. If/when the EEA declares a drought status level change, the District will formally announce specific requirements on our website, Facebook, X/Twitter, and Instagram.

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