Town enacts watering restrictions amid statewide drought

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection declared the Southeast region of the state, which includes Wareham, to be in Level 2 Significant Drought status. 

The Wareham and Onset water departments are asking residents to only use handheld hoses or watering cans for outdoor watering and only water after 5 p.m. or before 9 a.m. 

According to the state Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, the drought designation comes with two years of below-average rainfall and declining groundwater levels across Massachusetts. The significant drought status includes most of the state.