Water Restrictions
September 10, 2025 update: The Town has implemented a Level 1 Mandatory Non-essential Outdoor Water Use Restriction
The Town of Needham is required to implement a mandatory non-essential outdoor water use restriction when the State declares a drought emergency. Status updates on drought emergencies will be posted around Town and on the Town’s website. Level 1 and 2 drought restrictions allow limited non-essential outdoor water use before 9:00 a.m. and after 5:00 p.m. If the Massachusetts Drought Management Task Force declares a drought advisory (Level 3 or higher), non-essential outdoor water use will be banned entirely unless an exemption is provided by DPW.
| State Drought Condition (by Region) | Non-essential Outdoor Water-Use Restriction |
| Level 1 (Mild Drought) | 1 day per week watering: Before 9 am or after 5 pm (to minimize evaporative loss). The Town of Needham has designated Sunday as the day for watering under Level 1. |
| Level 2 (Significant Drought) | Limit Outdoor watering to hand-held hoses or watering cans, to be used only before 9 am or after 5 pm |
| Level 3 (Critical Drought) | Ban on all nonessential outdoor water use |
| Level 4 (Emergency Drought) | Ban on all nonessential outdoor water use |
Due to climate conditions, the Town is implementing an yellow/orange/red color-coded water restriction system:
| Yellow (Level 1) | One-day only water restriction: Sundays before 9 am or after 5 pm (to minimize evaporative loss) |
| Orange (Level 2) | Hand water only water restriction |
| Red (Levels 3 & 4) | No outdoor watering allowed |
Exemptions
Reasons for potential exemption from the Town's water restrictions include:
- Irrigation to establish replanted or resodded lawn or plantings during the months of May and September.
- Irrigation of newly established lawns (seeded or sodded) in the current calendar year for homes or businesses newly constructed in the previous twelve (12) months.
- Filling of privately owned outdoor pools
- Irrigation with harvested and stored stormwater runoff
- Production of food or fiber
To apply for an exemption, please complete the Water Restriction Exemption Application. Applicants will receive a response from the Town within three (3) business days if their application has been denied.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about the mandatory non-essential outdoor water restriction can be directed to the Needham Department of Public Works at 781-455-7550 ext. 0 or at dpwadmin@needhamma.gov.