Mandatory Water Restrictions

May 1- October 2026
Posted on: May 6, 2026 - 1:30pm

In response to USGS monitoring well levels used to determine drought conditions, the Brewster Water Commission recently voted to impose mandatory restrictions on outdoor watering in accordance with Town bylaws and relevant state permits.

Effective Friday, May 1, these mandatory restrictions establish an alternating (odd/even) schedule for outdoor watering based upon house number and calendar date.  Properties with odd number street addresses may water on odd number calendar days and properties with even number addresses may water on even number calendar days (example: 53 is ODD, 54 is EVEN).  If you are unable to program your irrigation system to ODD and EVEN days, please program your irrigation system to every other day. Outdoor watering done during periods of water restriction shall occur from 4:00AM to 8:00AM and from 5:00PM to 9:00PM.

The following uses are allowed:

  • Irrigation to establish new lawn and new plantings during the months of May and September.
  • Irrigation of public parks and recreation fields by means of automatic sprinklers outside the hours of 9 AM to 5 PM.
  • Irrigation of gardens, flowers, and ornamental plants by means of hand-held hose or drip irrigation systems.
  • Irrigation of lawns by means of handheld hose.

During a water ban restriction, non-essential uses are those that are not required for health, safety, food production, or essential business operations. The following are examples of non-essential uses, and we request that they be prohibited or heavily restricted to conserve water:

  • Irrigation of lawns, gardens or shrubs via sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems.
  • Washing of vehicles, except in a commercial car wash or as necessary for operator safety.
  • Washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways, or sidewalks.

These water conservation measures are being implemented proactively and are consistent with similar measures put in place in the past. Although properties serviced by private wells are exempt from these restrictions, the Town encourages their participation given their impact on our shared aquifer. 

The Brewster Water Department respectfully requests the support of our residents and business community in complying with these restrictions to ensure the future health and adequacy of our water supply.  Please contact the Water Department at 508-896-5454 if you have any questions.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.