Westborough Tightens Water Use Restrictions As Drought Worsens

WESTBOROUGH, MA — The town has tightened water use restrictions as Massachusetts grapples with a significant drought.

As of this week, Westborough has banned the use of sprinklers to water lawns and gardens. Watering with either a handheld hose or a watering can is limited to the hours of 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. daily.

About 90 percent of the state — including Westborough — is now in "significant drought" status, according to the state Drought Management Task Force.

It's going to be an especially tough week to cut back on outdoor water use. Temperatures in Westborough will be in the 90s each day through the weekend, and there's almost no chance of rain in the forecast.

In May, Westborough instituted the usual summer watering restrictions, which prohibit washing vehicles — except commercial car washes — using of sprinklers to irrigate lawns and washing buildings and sidewalks except "as necessary to apply surface treatments such as paint preservatives, stucco pavement or cement," according to the town.

Anyone caught violating the water use restrictions will face a $50 fine for the first offense, and $100 for each offense after that, according to town bylaws.