Summer Water Conservation

Water resources are vital for our community. Andover residents and businesses use a significant amount of water for lawn irrigation during peak water demand months: mid-June through mid-September. This increase in use reflects 6,300 gallons per minute that is applied primarily to lawns by irrigation systems and sprinklers. We ask that you take steps to reduce water usage. By consuming less water, you help to preserve our resources. More efficient water use begins with individuals. 

The Andover Water Division continuously monitors the water demand and levels in our storage tanks and reservoirs to ensure we provide high-quality water and fire protection. Continue reading below for current water restrictions and frequently asked questions, water savings tips, resources, and more.  


 Summer 2023

Water Restriction Status: There are no mandatory restrictions at this time. 

View the US Drought Monitor, Essex County Map (map updated every Thursday)

MA Drought Flyer - Conservation Tips

What you can do:

  • Minimize water use, indoor and outdoor
  • Fix leaks (good advice year-round)
  • Be careful with outdoor flames
  • Run dishwashers & washing machines at full capacity
  • Take shorter showers 
Lawn care and gardening tips:
  • Mulch around trees and plants to promote plant growth and reduce weeds.
  • Keep your grass 3 inches tall. Taller grass has deeper, healthier roots. Watering deeply and less often is generally best, to moisten the  whole root zone.
  • Water during the coolest part of the day. Early morning is better than dusk since it helps to prevent fungus, and allows water to seep  through the thatch later before evaporation occurs during the day.
  • Avoid lawn watering on windy days.
  • Water plants, not pavement.
  • Mow your lawn with a sharp blade. Mower blades should be sharpened after every 10 hours of use.
  • In June and July, lawns need about 1 inch of water per week, spread over 2 or 3 waterings, to stay green. They need only ½ to ¾ inch  per week for the rest of the summer. If there has been an inch of rainfall during the week, you do not need to water at all.
  • Overwatering can actually weaken your lawn by promoting shallow roots that are less tolerant to drought and more likely to be  damaged by insects.
  • Utilize rain barrels to reuse water on a sunny day.
  • Do the Walk Test to determine when your lawn needs water:
     o The Walk Test: Does your grass stand up straight after being walked on? If not, your lawn is thirsty. Walk across your lawn and back. If you can still see your footprints after a few minutes, your grass needs water.
  • Maintain irrigation systems to prevent leaks and waste. Learn how to find and fix leaks on US EPA’s website at  https://www.epa.gov/watersense/fix-leak-week .
 Water use facts:
  • Turning off the tap while brushing teeth can save 8 gallons of water per day.
  • Letting the faucet run for 5 minutes while washing dishes wastes 10 gallons of water.
  • Running the dishwasher only when it’s full can save the average family 320 gallons of water annually.  

 Greenscapes Community
Andover is recognized as a Greenscapes community. As such, the Town encourages all residents and businesses to utilize the community's drinking water resources in a responsible manner. 

For more cost-effective ways to conserve water usage, please visit the Greenscapes website where you can find valuable information on landscaping and lawn care practices to help promote water conservation and the protection of our natural resources.


EPA WaterSense Partner
Andover is a sponsor of US EPA’s WaterSense Program. As a partner we are committed to promoting indoor and outdoor water efficiency, conserving water resources, and promoting WaterSense certified products. For more information, visit the EPA's WaterSense website.