Water restrictions in Waltham, MA — also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance — set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Waltham follows Massachusetts Water Resources Authority and state drought management protocols. Outdoor watering is typically restricted to odd/even days or specific morning/evening hours during summer.
Waltham is served by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) Quabbin-Wachusett system and its own local supplies. Under the Massachusetts Drought Management Plan and local water use regulations, Waltham implements outdoor water restrictions seasonally, typically from May through September. Standard restrictions include watering only before 9 AM or after 5 PM, limiting watering to hand-held hoses or drip irrigation, and allowing automatic sprinklers only on odd/even days based on street address. During declared drought conditions, restrictions may expand to full bans on lawn watering, car washing, and filling pools. The Waltham Department of Public Works and Water Division enforce restrictions, with warnings progressing to fines (typically 50-200 dollars per violation). Hand-watering of gardens, vegetables, and new plantings is often exempted. Charles River watershed protection also drives conservation priorities.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Middlesex County.
See how other cities in Middlesex County handle water restrictions.
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