Framingham watering rules in a drought: where the water comes from and how to check

Where Framingham's water comes from

Framingham's public water system is supplied by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA). The City says the water is treated at the MWRA's Carroll Water Treatment Plant in Marlborough and reaches Framingham through the MetroWest Water Supply Tunnel, then 288 miles of City pipe.

The drought level right now

Massachusetts declares drought by region. Framingham, in Middlesex County, is in the Northeast region. On October 9, 2026 that region moved from Level 1, Mild Drought, to Level 2, Significant Drought, after groundwater stayed low in eastern Massachusetts.

The state's drought task force was set to meet again on November 6, so check the level before you plan any watering.

How to check the rules in 3 steps

1. Look up the current level on the state's Drought Status page.
2. Check the City of Framingham Water Division for any local rule, which can be stricter than the state's advice.
3. If you have an irrigation system, set it to the rule, not the other way around.

What Level 2 asks of homeowners

At Level 2 the state asks residents to cut overall water use, follow local restrictions and fix leaks. It also asks towns to limit washing of hard surfaces such as driveways, patios and siding.

Mulch holds moisture in beds, and a taller mowing height shades the soil. Both help a lawn ride out a dry stretch.

Gerson's Landscaping is a landscaping business based in Framingham, Massachusetts, owned by Gerson E. Paniagua, offering lawn care, clean-ups, mulching, snow removal, stone walls and bluestone patios. Gerson speaks English and Spanish.