Skip to Content

Outdoor Watering Restrictions

OUTDOOR WATER USE RESTRICTION UPDATE (Effective 04/10/25)

On May 3, 2024, the District received its long-awaited amended Water Management Act (WMA) permit, which included a condition requiring the District to revise its existing seasonal outdoor water use restriction program to align with the stricter limits set forth in the new permit. To adopt and implement the controls necessary to do this, the District proposed revisions to the District’s Bylaws at the March 20, 2024 Annual District Meeting, which voters unanimously approved. Most notable was a permit condition limiting non-essential water use to no more than two days per week, which is different than our prior odd/even restrictions that were in place for over two decades.

Due to ongoing precipitation deficits for the Acton area, including a level 2 significant drought status, as declared by the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs on April 9th, 2025, combined with ongoing constraints due to the presence of PFAS in our water supply, the Board of Water Commissioners voted to approve a one day per week, non-essential water use restriction, effective April 10, 2025.

Nonessential outdoor water uses that are subject to mandatory restrictions include lawn irrigation via aboveground sprinklers and automated irrigation systems, pool filling, vehicle washing (except in a commercial car wash) and washing of exterior surfaces (i.e. power washing). These activities are restricted to one day per week before 7AM and after 7PM. No outdoor water use is permitted on Mondays. Any violations will be subject to a fine of up to $200 per incident.

Please note that hand watering of lawns, gardens, and ornamental plantings is not subject to mandatory restrictions. Watering via harvested rainwater, a private well, or other privately owned water source is also exempt from mandatory restrictions. Limiting these activities to before 7AM and after 7PM remains encouraged as a best practice. 

Remember that now is a great time to make sure your irrigation system is properly programmed and ready for the spring. Be sure to check your system for leaks and broken and inefficient heads and test your backflow prevention device. Any property observed not abiding by the mandatory restrictions is subject to fines and possible loss of outdoor water use. Do not depend solely on your contractor to properly manage your irrigation system controller. If you are travelling and unable to manage your irrigation remotely, consider shutting it off prior to your absence.

Healthy established lawns only require up to one inch of water per week during the height of the growing season and benefit from one long soaking versus multiple short soakings. Before irrigating, check that your lawn needs it by looking at recent and forecast rainfall amounts, checking soil moisture at a 6-inch depth, and seeing if footprints remain visible when you walk on the grass.

We thank you for your cooperation and any water conservation efforts that you observe. Updates on the status of our outdoor water use restrictions in the imminent future will be communicated on our website, through our WaterSmart program, and via Twitter and Facebook @ActonWater.

Nonessential outdoor water use, 1 day per week, before 7am and after 7pm. 

 Tuesday: North Acton-North of Brook Street including Great Road from Brook Street to Littleton line

 Wednesday: Acton Center/East Acton–North of Route 2 to South of Brook Street (562 Main Street follows this schedule) including Pope Road and Great Road to Concord line

 Thursday: West Acton–South of Route 2 and West of Main Street (even side of Main Street follows this schedule)

 Friday: South Acton–South of Route 2 and East of Main Street (odd side of Main Street follows this schedule)

View larger map

 Need help figuring out what day you may water your lawn?

Use the map above to find your address, or enter your address below, or call the office at (978) 263-9107.

Watering Schedule:

For additional information on local hydrological conditions and weekly drought status updates, please visit these links: