Rowley Water Department Announces Level 2 Drought Restrictions

ROWLEY — The Rowley Water Department announces that mandatory Level 2 Drought restrictions have been declared by the the state’s Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), necessitating restrictions to preserve water for essential uses.

The decision to declare a Level 2 drought was informed by recommendations and a  meeting of the Drought Management Task Force (DMTF), composed of state and federal officials, and will remain in effect until water levels return to normal in the affected regions, including Rowley.

To help preserve the local water supply, residents and businesses should:

• Minimize overall water use;
• Limit outdoor watering to hand-held hoses or watering cans, to be used only after 5 p.m. or before 9 a.m. one day a week.
• Limit or prohibit installation of new sod, seeding, and/or landscaping, watering during or within 48 hours after measurable rainfall, washing of hard surfaces (sidewalks, patios, driveways, siding), personal vehicle or boat washing, operation of non-recirculating fountains, filling of swimming pools, hot tubs, and backyard informal rinks.

The declaration of a significant drought requires the Drought Management Task Force to meet on a regular basis to assess conditions across the state and provide information to the public. The Task Force will meet on a monthly basis or as frequently as conditions warrant. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 3,  at 1 p.m. and will be held virtually via Zoom.

For further information on water conservation and what residents and communities can do, visit the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ drought page.

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