Cohasset drought warning and outdoor water restrictions: what’s allowed (and penalties) now

Cohasset Water Department customers now have two outdoor-water rule sets to keep straight: a mandatory drought-warning from the Cohasset Water Department, and a separate total outdoor water ban described in the Weir River Water System notice for North Cohasset (along with Hingham and Hull).

1) Mandatory drought-warning outdoor restrictions (Cohasset Water Department)

The Cohasset Water Department posted its mandatory outdoor watering restrictions on June 18, 2026 and last updated June 30, 2026. The posting says the rules are in effect until further notice.

No irrigation systems at all (the posting says no irrigation systems may be used).
Hand-held hose use is limited to ornamental plants and vegetable gardens.
Allowed hours: daily from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. (with no watering allowed on Sundays).

What the posting says about enforcement

The mandatory drought-warning posting lists specific penalties:

$50 for the first violation
$100 for each subsequent violation
Each day of violation counts as a separate offense

It also says residents can report violations to the Cohasset Water Department.

2) Separate “total outdoor water ban” (North Cohasset / Weir River Water System)

Separately, the Weir River Water System—working with partner towns—issued a Total Outdoor Water Ban that the Cohasset posting describes as effective immediately as of June 16, 2026 for the towns of Hingham, Hull, and North Cohasset.

According to the ban notice, all outdoor water use is prohibited until further notice, including:

Lawn and landscape irrigation
Washing vehicles
Filling swimming pools or hot tubs
Using sprinklers or hoses for recreation
Any other non-essential outdoor water use

The notice adds that the ban will remain in effect for the remainder of the season. It also says failure to comply may result in fines and/or shutoff of water service.

How to know which rules apply

Use this quick guide:

If you rely on sprinklers or irrigation systems, the mandatory drought-warning posting says they are not allowed.
If you’re watering ornamental plants or a vegetable garden under the mandatory drought-warning rules, use a hand-held hose only between 5 p.m. and 9 a.m.—and never on Sundays.
If you’re in North Cohasset under the total outdoor water ban, don’t do outdoor watering of any kind, including lawn/landscape irrigation, vehicle washing, pool/hot tub filling, or using sprinklers/hoses for recreation.

What to do today

Turn off irrigation systems immediately.
For allowed hand-hose watering under the mandatory rules, adjust your schedule to the posted evening-to-early-morning window and avoid Sundays.
If you’re in North Cohasset, pause all outdoor water use under the total outdoor ban and follow the posting’s instructions for reporting activity you believe is outside the restrictions.

Sources

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