Water restrictions in Suffolk County, MA — also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance — set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Suffolk County's Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop are all served by the MWRA. MWRA supply is historically reliable, but MassDEP drought declarations trigger local conservation. Boston Water & Sewer Commission sets local rules.
All four Suffolk County municipalities receive water from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA), which draws from the Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs via the Cosgrove/Hultman aqueducts. This large surface-water supply has historically meant fewer mandatory outdoor watering bans than MassDEP drought-region communities. Boston Water & Sewer Commission (BWSC) administers local water service and can issue conservation advisories during MassDEP drought declarations. The MassDEP Massachusetts Drought Management Plan defines five levels (Normal, Advisory, Watch, Warning, Emergency); at Watch or higher, MWRA encourages voluntary reductions, and at Warning, mandatory odd/even day watering and time-of-day restrictions (no watering 9 AM-5 PM) can be imposed. The 2022 drought triggered MWRA conservation messaging. Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop each follow MWRA guidance but can impose stricter local rules via their DPW or water departments. Massachusetts Water Management Act (MGL c. 21G) gives MassDEP authority over withdrawals. Private wells are rare in Suffolk County.
MWRA/BWSC watering restriction violations in Boston: warning first, then $100-$300 per occurrence. Chelsea, Revere, Winthrop: similar local fines $25-$200. Chronic violators face water-service surcharges or shutoff under MGL c. 40 §42A.
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See how Suffolk County's water restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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