SHEFFIELD, Mass. – July 16, 2026 – Aquarion Water Company of Massachusetts today announced that drought conditions have intensified across the region and that Sheffield is now under a Level 2 - Significant Drought. As a result, Nonessential Outdoor Water Use (NOWU) is banned, except that watering of ornamentals and flower gardens with drip irrigation, handheld hoses, or watering cans is permitted. Nonessential water use includes sprinkler- and automatic-irrigation of lawns, vehicle washing, and washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, and driveways.
Aquarion’s restrictions are consistent with the Water Management Act requirements and the Massachusetts Drought Management Plan. Customer cooperation is essential to helping ensure a sustainable drinking water supply.
Aquarion recommends several ways to conserve water outdoors:
- Let your grass grow longer. This will encourage deeper roots and keep your grass cool and moist during dry spells.
- Hold off on watering if the forecast calls for rain.
- Use a rain barrel to capture water running from your roof to use in your garden.
- Delay new landscaping projects until the fall.
For the latest information about these mandatory restrictions, visit www.aquarionwater.com/watering.