Kittery enacts water usage restrictions amid persistent dry conditions
Kittery residents are now under a strict and mandatory water conservation order.
Town officials notified residents last week of the “Level 3,” or severe, order from the Kittery Water District, noting that the order is an effort to combat issues caused by persistent dry conditions.
The restrictions went into effect Monday and have no set end date, with the town saying they will be active until further notice.
The notice restricts landscape watering to between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. — odd-numbered addresses can water outdoors on Mondays and Thursdays, and even-numbered addresses are restricted to Tuesdays and Fridays — outdoor watering is banned on weekends. Residents are also asked to refrain from using water outside at all if possible, to repair leaky faucets or irrigation systems, and to only run washing machines and dishwashers with full loads.
A first-time failure to comply will result in a written warning, followed by a $100 fine for an additional violation. Residents risk losing water service and paying a $500 fine upon a third offense.
The National Integrated Drought Information System indicates that almost 842,000 Maine residents are living in areas of drought, including nearly 73% of people in York County.
Kittery’s notice mentioned that the town’s pond levels are similar to the months just before winter, hence the restrictions to maintain adequate resources.
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Tagged: drought, hot weather, weather, york county Maine
Isabelle Oss is a community reporter covering Kittery, Berwick, North Berwick, South Berwick, York and Ogunquit. Born and raised in Colorado, she moved to Maine in April 2026. Isabelle holds a master’s. More by Isabelle Oss
