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Drought Update 06/09/2026

Posted on: June 15, 2026 - 10:32am
June Drought Map

Last week, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepper declared a Level – 2 Significant Drought in the Southeast, Cape Cod, and Islands Regions due to worsening dry conditions. View the alert (PDF, JPG).
 
The designation follows two years of below-average rainfall and declining streamflow and groundwater across the state, signaling worsening drought conditions and increasing stress on local water resources. 
 
During May, the state received between 1-3 inches of rain, which was 1.5 to 3 inches below normal. The greatest precipitation deficits were in the Berkshires, the Southeast, and Cape Cod and the Islands. Rivers and streams throughout the region are running below normal levels, even with some temporary increases right after a rain event. These decreasing levels are an indicator that groundwater levels continue to go down. 
 
All other Regions remain at their current drought levels: 

  • Level 3 – Critical Drought: Northeast
  • Level 2 – Significant Drought: Connecticut River Valley, Central
  • Level 1 – Mild Drought: Western

“Many parts of the state have gone months without enough rainfall to replenish groundwater levels and stream flow,” said Secretary Tepper. “As we enter the summer months, it is important to be conscious of our water use by limiting outdoor watering to ensure water supplies remain available.”   
 
As outlined in the Massachusetts Drought Management Plan, a Level 3 – Critical Drought requires communities to ban all nonessential outdoor water use, and allow only hand-held watering in Level 2 – Significant Drought communities. While the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority’s (MWRA) water supply system is currently not experiencing drought conditions, it’s still important for residents and businesses served by the MWRA to conserve water. 
 
State agencies continue coordinating drought response efforts with federal and local partners, including municipal officials and local Boards of Health (BOH). Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is providing technical assistance and outreach to communities affected by drought conditions. 
 
Residents are encouraged to report dry environmental conditions and upload photos through the Massachusetts Water Impact Reporter to help the state monitor drought impacts in real time. Private well owners experiencing problems such as dry wells should contact their local BOH, which is also asked to report local well conditions to the state. 

For more information, click here.

So, what does this mean for Uxbridge?

With the drought status being a level 2 Mild Drought across the central region, our water management act permit dictates that our water use restrictions shall be nonessential outdoor water usage is prohibited in the Town of Uxbridge between the hours of 9:00 AM-5:00 PM from May 1, 2026 through September 30, 2026. For more information click here.