North Shore Town Bans All Outdoor Water Use Amid 'Extreme' Drought Conditions

DANVERS, MA — Danvers residents will not be able to wash their cars, fill their swimming pools or water their plants outdoors this spring without facing a hefty fine after the town announced on Friday the implementation of a Level 6 "Extreme" water restriction, effective immediately.

The town is required to implement these restrictions because of continued low precipitation, reservoir levels, and Ipswich River flow.

Banned in town for the foreseeable future are the use of sprinklers or irrigation systems, hand watering with hoses or watering cans, filling of swimming pools, washing of cars, or "any outdoor water use."

Danvers typically implements water restrictions each summer, but often slowly ramps up those prohibitions throughout the spring into June and July.

The town reached a Level 5 restriction in June 2024 and began at Level 5 last May before easing restrictions in the weeks that followed after a series of weekend rainouts.

"Despite seasonal expectations, precipitation has remained below normal, resulting in stressed river conditions
and lowering our available reservoir capacity," the town said in announcing the ban. "These factors, combined with the sustained low flow of the Ipswich River, require the town to implement Level 6 restrictions to protect our water supply.

"This is a trend we are seeing across the region, as many communities face similar strained water resources and implementing heightened conservation measures. These steps are essential to ensuring adequate water resources for vital
community needs such as firefighting, public health, and basic household use."

The town said it urges all residents to conserve water "wherever possible to help protect our community’s water resources during this period of increased strain."

Violations of the Level 6 drought conditions result in a warning letter for the first offense.

Subsequent violations may result in a $300 fine.