The drought status for the southeast region of the state that includes Wellesley has been decreased from a Level 2 “significant drought” designation by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to normal conditions. As a result, Wellesley’s Board of Public Works has rescinded one-day per week outdoor watering restrictions that had been in effect since February.

“I’m surprised, I did not see that coming,” Department of Public Works Director Dave Cohen said during the Board of Public Works meeting on April 13. “I thought that perhaps we would get to a Level 1 [mild drought] but they brought us all the way back to a Level 0.”

Despite the improved drought status, the Wellesley Water Department still discourages business and property owners from going wild with their water, both for conservation purposes as well as for lawn health. They’re recommending a voluntary conservation program of two outdoor watering days per week, and to irrigate before 9 am and after 5 pm to reduce water loss from evaporation.

You can track your water use via the Water Customer Portal.

Contact the DPW Water & Sewer Division with questions at (781) 235-7600 extension 3355.