Turn Off Your Hose: MA In 'Significant Drought'

MARLBOROUGH, MA — Most of Massachusetts is now in a significant drought, with state officials suggesting that residents limit outdoor water use.

Last week, the state Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs upgraded the drought status to level 2 "significant" in a wide portion of the state included Middlesex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Plymouth and Bristol counties.

State officials say the drought is due to lower rainfall over the past three months. In May, the greater Boston area got about 1.32 inches of rainfall compared to the normal level of 3.25 inches, according to the National Weather Service. April saw 2.32 inches compared to the normal amount of 3.63 inches.

"As the commonwealth enters the growing season, it is incredibly important that outdoor watering should be limited, coupled with the planting of drought tolerant plants to further reduce the strain on local water systems," the Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs said in a bulletin on June 15.

In a level 2 drought, the state recommends residents limit outdoor watering to handheld hoses or watering cans between only 9 a.m and 5 p.m. Some local communities, including Wayland and Westborough, have already issued local warnings to residents and businesses to limit using sprinkler systems.

The drought conditions can also hit local residents in the wallet later on. If towns and cities can't sell water due to use restrictions, water departments see less revenue — and that may mean higher water rate increases in the future to make up for deficits.