A proposed amendment to the Drought Ordinance

On January 27, 2025, the Law Department and Water Department proposed that the City

Council amend Chapter 13.08, Water System Regulations and Chapter 13.12, Water Reservoirs to ensure compliance with amended regulations under the Water Management Act. In light of a question that came up during the March 31, 2025, Ordinance Committee meeting, we have drafted a further amendment in bold below to clarify that watering trees on private property will not be restricted under the new conditions: D.

The following is a list of outdoor water uses that will not be restricted under the new conditions (pursuant to 310 CMR 36.03): a) 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, and for the preservation of trees, including trees on private property, by using slow release watering bags or other slow release systems, because trees promote the health, safety and welfare of residents for multiple reasons, including but not limited to improving air quality and reducing urban heat island impacts; A copy of all of the proposed amendments is attached and the only change is that we have added clarifying language, as noted above, to allow for the preservation of trees on private property during a drought declaration.

Very truly yours, Megan B. Baye meansay

City Solicitor