Peabody Imposes Mandatory Outdoor Water Ban Amid Historic Dry Spell

PEABODY, MA — Peabody residents are facing new outdoor water bans amid a historic dry spell where there has been no measurable rain recorded in much of Greater Boston in nearly four weeks.

What was a voluntary water restriction for most of the summer was made mandatory this week as officials sought to "protect our water supply for both drinking and fire suppression" amid well-below-average, drought conditions.

The last rain total measuring a "trace" or more in Boston was Aug. 20 — making it the fifth-longest dry stretch of all time in Boston (Logan Airport), according to the National Weather Service.

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Residents are not allowed to use sprinklers or automated systems to water lawns or wash their cars during the prohibition.

Hand watering by pail or watering can remain allowed at any time.

Fire hydrant flushing has also been suspended.

"The water emergency will be lifted as soon as conditions improve, and normal water supply is replenished," officials said.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)