Cape Ann water rules: Rockport bans outdoor use, Gloucester limits it, Manchester lifts its ban

Last weekend's nor'easter brought wind and rain, but the rules for outdoor watering still differ widely from one Cape Ann town to the next, according to each community's most recent notice.

The state's latest drought declaration, dated Sept. 10, puts the Northeast region, which includes Cape Ann, at Level 1, a mild drought. The state says the region improved to that level.

Rockport: no outdoor watering at all

Rockport's total ban on outdoor water use took effect Sept. 18. The Department of Public Works says low rainfall has left the Carlson Quarry and Flat Ledge Quarry watersheds, the town's water supply, lower than expected.

All outdoor water use is prohibited. The one exception is commercial users who need water for their core business. The DPW and Police Department enforce the ban, and the town says it will ease the rules if reservoir levels improve. (Why Rockport banned outdoor watering as the drought eased.)

Gloucester: hand watering only, 5 p.m. to 9 a.m.

Gloucester is under Level 2 restrictions that the city says stay in place until further notice:

• No lawn sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems.
• Hand held hoses or watering cans only, after 5 p.m. and before 9 a.m.
• No washing driveways, sidewalks, patios or other hard surfaces.
• No washing vehicles unless needed for health, safety or regulatory reasons.

The city eased the rules from Level 3 in August. It says that does not mean the drought is over, and it will review the restrictions as conditions change.

Manchester-by-the-Sea: ban lifted

The Manchester Select Board voted Sept. 21 to lift the town's outdoor water ban, after Town Administrator Tony Barletta told the board the state had moved the region to Level 1. Before the vote, the town allowed sprinklers and irrigation any day, but only from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. That time limit is gone. No separate start date was announced at the meeting. Read more.

Essex: please conserve, but no ban

The Essex Water Department is asking residents to use water wisely and says plainly that its request is not a water ban. It suggests:

• Watering lawns and gardens in the early morning or evening, not midday.
• Running dishwashers and washing machines only when full.
• Fixing dripping faucets and running toilets.
• Skipping driveway and car washing for now.

The department's notice is not dated and still refers to the more serious drought level in place before the state's Sept. 10 update.