Cohasset imposes mandatory outdoor watering restrictions June 30

Cohasset has put mandatory outdoor watering restrictions in place, effective June 30, 2026 and staying in force until further notice. The town says the change responds to abnormally dry conditions affecting surface water supplies.

The Water Department says the rules are meant to protect drinking-water supply and fire protection capacity. The notice also ties the local action to drought conditions affecting the wider region.

What is now banned

Irrigation systems cannot be used at all under the new rules. That is the biggest change for homeowners, landscapers, and property managers who rely on sprinklers, timers, or other automated watering setups.

The town is still allowing limited hand watering for ornamental plants and vegetable gardens, but only between 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. The restriction also says no watering is allowed on Sundays.

Violations come with fines: $50 for a first offense and $100 for each later offense. The town says each day of violation counts as a separate offense.

Why Cohasset acted now

Cohasset says the warning is tied to drought criteria in its water-supply planning, including below-normal precipitation, weak stream flow, and low storage levels. The state’s drought status page also shows a significant drought designation for the region.

For residents and landscapers, the practical message is simple: check what is still allowed before turning on a hose or irrigation system. For property owners, the order means outdoor maintenance plans may need to change immediately and stay changed until the town issues a new update.

The restrictions do not have a fixed end date. For now, Cohasset is asking residents to conserve water so the system can keep up with everyday use and emergency needs.

Sources

• Cohasset Water Department alert: Mandatory outdoor water restrictions
• Mass.gov drought status update
• WCVB: Massachusetts towns add outdoor water bans amid drought