Northeast Mass upgraded to ‘mild’ drought, water restrictions rescinded

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REGION — Following above normal precipitation in October, the Northeast Region of Massachusetts, which includes Westford, has been upgraded to a mild drought.

Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Bethany Card announced the upgrade from a critical drought to a significant drought on Nov. 10. She cited a number of rainfall events that improved nearly all regions in the state.

Northeastern Massachusetts joins the Connecticut River Valley and Cape Cod as three regions in a mild drought. Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard remain in a significant drought, while all other regions have no active drought.

Card notes that though Northeastern Massachusetts has been upgraded to a mild drought, northern and coastal regions continue to be more severely impacted by long-term drought conditions.

According to National Weather Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data, Middlesex County still remains one to two inches behind normal rainfall as of Nov. 15.

Over the last 30 days, the county has received two to three inches of rainfall, which is approximately one to two inches below normal rainfall for the region.

Water Department downgrades restrictions 

The Water Department has removed all active water restrictions in Westford.

Previously, customers with an odd-numbered address may only water on odd-numbered days from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. under Stage 2 restrictions. Customers with even-numbered addresses could only water on even-numbered days from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. Additionally, the filling of swimming pools was prohibited.

Restrictions were rescinded as of Nov. 15, according to Water Department Superintendent Mark Warren.

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