Water Supply/Drought Information

Current drought status, water use restrictions, reservoir updates, and conservation guidance for residents and businesses.

Current Status - Level 4 Drought Emergency

All outdoor water use is prohibited except for limited essential uses

UPDATED: October 28, 2026

All nonessential outdoor water use is prohibited under Chapter 250 of the City Code as the City of Haverhill water supply is in the Level 4 Drought Emergency stage.  All residents and businesses are required to comply.

As of October 28, 2026, Kenoza Lake—Haverhill's primary drinking water source—is approximately 10.9 feet below average, reflecting the ongoing significant drought conditions and limited reservoir recovery. Although the City has received some recent rainfall, it has not slowed the ongoing decline in reservoir levels, and the City continues to face a significant water supply deficit.

To maximize the City's available water supply, the Water Department is currently pumping from Crystal Lake into Kenoza Lake. The pumping rate from the Crystal Lake pump station varies between 1.0 and 3.0 million gallons per day.  Millvale is currently offline because it is too low to pump.

Millvale Reservoir is intentionally being maintained at a lower level to maximize its ability to capture future rainfall and stormwater runoff as conditions improve.

The City continues to monitor reservoir levels, rainfall, water demand, and regional drought conditions daily and will provide updates as conditions change.

Nonessential Outdoor Water Use Means a Use That is Not Required:

• for health or safety reasons, including public facilities used for cooling such as splash pads and swimming pools, and for washing of boats, engines, or marine equipment to prevent negative saltwater impacts or the transfer of invasive aquatic species;

• by permit, license, statute or regulation;

• for the production of food, including vegetable gardens, and fiber;

• for the maintenance of livestock;

• Irrigation with harvested and stored stormwater runoff;

• to meet the core functions (those functions essential to the commercial operations) of a business, including but not limited to:

  • plant nurseries as necessary to maintain stock;

  • golf courses as necessary to maintain greens and tees, and limited fairway watering per 310 CMR 36.07(2)(c)2.a. through c.;

  • venues used for weddings or similar special events that limit watering to hand-held hose or drip irrigation as necessary to maintain gardens, flowers and ornamental plants;

  • professional washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways and/or sidewalks as necessary to apply surface treatments such as paint, preservatives, stucco, pavement, or cement in the course of construction, reconstruction or renovation work;

• for irrigation of public parks before 9:00 A.M. and after 5:00 P.M.,

• for irrigation of public and private recreation fields, including those operated by schools, colleges, universities and athletic associations, before 9:00 A.M. and after 5:00 P.M.;

• for irrigation of publicly-funded shade trees and trees in the public right-of-way; or

• to establish a new lawn as necessary to stabilize soil in response to new construction or following the repair or replacement of a Title 5 system.

Indoor Water Conservation

• Fix leaks promptly

• Run full dishwasher and laundry loads

• Take shorter showers

• Install water-efficient fixtures

Business Guidance

Businesses should review operations, repair leaks promptly, reduce nonessential water use, and comply with all restrictions.

Compliance

The City is actively enforcing restrictions. Violations may result in warnings, fines, and additional enforcement actions.

Contact

Water Department at 978-374-2370 or via Haverhill’s 311 system.

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