Sudbury Orders Outdoor Water Ban Amid Drought

SUDBURY, MA — Outdoor watering will be limited to one day per week in Sudbury amid a widening drought in the state, the Sudbury Water District said Thursday.

Nonessential outdoor watering — like washing cars and watering lawns — will only be allowed between 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. on Saturdays for addresses ending in an even number, and Sundays for addresses ending in an odd number.

Anyone caught violating the watering ban could be fined, or lose water service entirely, according to the water district.

Almost all of Massachusetts from Provincetown to the western edge of Worcester County is in a level 2 severe drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

"Short-term moderate and severe drought continued to expand, especially in the New York City area, New Jersey, and New England, where rainfall was sparse and temperatures were a few degrees above normal. Water use restrictions and farming impacts were becoming common across these regions as dry conditions continued another week," the drought monitor said in a drought forecast on Thursday.

Rainstorms were predicted to move through the Sudbury area on Friday, but one storm likely won't make up for rain shortages earlier this year. Over June and July last summer, the region tallied close to 13 inches of rain. This summer, we've only had 3 inches, according to the National Weather Service.