This page was updated June, 2026.

The Wellesley Department of Public Works (DPW) is responsible for a wide range of services that keeps the town running smoothly. Services include:

• Infrastructure maintenance: The Highway Division of the DPW maintains roads, bridges, sidewalks, street signs, and all surface and subsurface drainage systems to provide for safe vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
• Water and sewer services: The Water and Sewer Division of the DPW provides clean water to residents and businesses, and collects and treats wastewater.
• Solid waste management: Trash and recyclables are brought by residents to the Recycling and Disposal Facility. (The town does not have a curbside collection program.)
• Parks and recreation: The Park and Tree Division of the DPW maintains parks, playgrounds, conservation land, and other open spaces.

Drought status to Level 1— One day per week watering restrictions

May 14, 2026–The Wellesley Department of Public Works needs your help to comply with state regulations and has issued outdoor water use restrictions, effective May 13, 2026.  Mandatory outdoor watering restrictions are requested.

The restrictions include a mandatory limitation of outdoor watering to no more than one-day per week for homes and businesses and a ban on non-essential outdoor watering between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm.  Complete details are included below.

According to DPW Officials, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs declared a Level 1 – Mild Drought in our region on May 13, 2026.  Due to Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (Mass DEP) regulations now in effect, non-essential outdoor watering is limited to no more than one day per week.  In addition, non-essential outdoor watering is prohibited between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:00 pm.

‘These restrictions are needed to keep the Town in compliance with state regulations and also help ensure that we can provide enough water for everyday use including health, safety, and fire-fighting needs” said DPW Director Dave Cohen.

Outdoor Water Use One Day per week Restrictions

Based upon street address numbers, nonessential outdoor water use IS ALLOWED according to the following schedule:

• Odd numbered address are restricted to Tuesdays
• Even numbered addresses are restricted Fridays
• Nonessential outdoor use of water on all other days is prohibited

Nonessential outdoor water hours are restricted to before 9:00 am and after 5:00 pm to help avoid loss of water through evaporation.

Essential uses of water include:

• For health and safety reasons
• Irrigation to establish a new lawn and new plantings between the months of May and September
• Agricultural operations to maintain livestock and crops and vegetable gardens
• Irrigation of lawns, gardens, flowers and ornamental plants by means of a hand-held hose
• To meet the core functions to the commercial operations of a business
• Irrigation of public trees and parks, schools, and recreational fields

Nonessential uses include:

• Irrigation of lawns via sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems
• Washing of vehicles, except in a commercial car wash or as necessary for operator safety
• Washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways or sidewalks, except as necessary to apply surface treatments such as paint, preservatives, stucco, pavement, or concrete

All water customers are urged to set irrigation systems and timers to ensure watering takes place on the allowed days and times.  Customers are also encouraged to consider rain gauges and sensors to avoid over watering.  One inch of watering per week is sufficient to promote deep root growth for a healthy and drought resistant lawn.

Initial enforcement activities will focus on notices, education and awareness.  However, if needed, violations are subject to a $50 fine for the first violation and $100 for each subsequent violation.

If you have any questions please call the DPW’s Water & Sewer Division at (781) 235-7600 extension 3355.

Wellesley to conduct spring street sweeping

April 27, 2026–Keep an eye out for the Wellesley DPW’s regenerative air street sweeper! Unlike traditional sweepers, it uses pressurized air to remove more dirt, debris, and trash, while significantly reducing dust in the air.

It’s hydrant flushing time

The DPW’s annual hydrant flushing is planned for Monday, April 27 – Friday, May 1, 2026  between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

During this week, the Water & Sewer Division will be flushing water mains throughout Town to remove sediment buildup and ensure the safe operation of fire hydrants and valves.

PLEASE NOTE! This process may temporarily discolor water and reduce water pressure.

While water remains safe to drink, DPW recommends that you avoid doing laundry during the flushing period, especially whites, as staining may occur.

If you must wash clothes, check the cold water before starting the wash. If water is discolored, let it run for a few minutes to clear any sediment.

Contact the DPW Water Division with questions at 781-235-7600 ext. 3355. Thank you!

Overnight Tree Work on Central Street

April 8, 2026–The DPW Park & Tree Division will be repairing tree pits along Central Street on Wednesday, April 8 and Thursday, April 9.

Work will be done overnight beginning at midnight and ending in the early morning. Some noise is expected, and equipment may temporarily block street parking spaces and sidewalks.

Tree pits are the dirt areas surrounding trees planted along Central Street in Wellesley Square. Over time, the stone borders become uneven and tree roots poke upwards becoming dangerous tripping hazards.

These repairs will temporarily improve this issue while the Town finalizes plans for the upcoming Wellesley Square amenities project.

Please email DPW with any questions or concerns. Thank you for your patience.

Weston Road reconstruction to restart

April 2, 2026–After a winter pause, reconstruction of Weston Road between Worcester Street and the Weston Town line is set to resume this spring. Work is expected to restart in April weather permitting. Remaining work includes sidewalk and wheelchair ramp reconstruction, loam and seeding, and the final roadway paving course. Once paving is complete, crews will finish line marking for the centerline and shoulders, crosswalk markings, and signage installation. The project is expected to wrap up this summer.

As construction resumes, road users and residents should expect isolated lane closures. Please allow extra travel time or use alternative routes when possible. Police details will be on site to assist with both vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

Wellesley team rooms getting closer

March 2026–Construction on the team rooms at the Hunnewell Track & Field Complex begins on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.

This project was approved and funded by 2025 Special Town Meeting in November and is the final phase of work on the athletic complex used by Wellesley High School and Middle Schools sports teams and local sports organizations.

When completed, the enhanced modular building will provide locker rooms for home and visiting teams.

Contractors will be installing construction fencing around the work area, which includes part of the State Street parking lot adjacent to Fuller Brook Park. This fencing will limit several parking spots in the lot.

Regular updates will be posted on the Department of Public Works project pages. Please email DPW with questions or for more information.

What to do if snowplows damaged your property or street

March 2026–Now that the snow has melted, property owners are asking about repairs from snowplow damage. The Department of Public Works addresses snowplow damage repairs in the late spring on a case-specific basis. By April 15, please email DPW@wellesleyma.gov with concerns, and include photos if possible. For requests received after April 15, repairs will be done later in the summer. Please remember there is a public easement of Town-owned land in front of all properties in Wellesley.

Announcement: DPW Water & Sewer Line Inventory

Jan. 16, 2026–The DPW Water & Sewer Division is conducting a federally required inventory of water service lines under the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule. This work will help determine the material used for water lines and identify lines that may need to be replaced. All water suppliers in Massachusetts are required to maintain a full inventory. Letters were mailed to residents and property owners to share information about the known or suspected material of the service line connecting properties to the public water system. Some landlords received letters for distribution to tenants.

Service lines may be classified as 1) unknown/not verified or 2) Galvanized Requiring Replacement (GRR). Galvanized pipes do not mean lead has been found in the water, but the GRR designation requires further verification. No lead service lines have been identified in Wellesley. At this time, most residents do not need to take any action.

The Town has required the use of copper service lines since 1962 and has been replacing old lead service lines since the early 1990s.

Regular lead and copper sampling programs show that, in Wellesley, the risk of lead exposure through drinking water is extremely low.

Visit the Service Line Inventory webpage for detailed information on this project.

Some history

Wellesley has approximately 8,500 water service lines. After an initial review in October 2024, the Water Department found there were approximately 6,000 missing or partial water line records for residential and commercial properties in Town.

Wellesley DPW street resurfacing list for 2026

November 2025—