HINGHAM - June 16, 2026 - The Hingham Select Board enacted an emergency, season-long total outdoor water ban effective immediately for Hingham, Hull, and North Cohasset. Triggered by severe water overconsumption and ongoing drought conditions, infrastructure storage tanks have plummeted to critical levels, threatening basic fire suppression capabilities and potable drinking water delivery across the three communities. Public safety officials warned that non-compliance could result in swift fines or the termination of water service.
The Full Story
The emergency water crisis overshadowed all routine municipal business during Tuesday’s Select Board meeting. Town Administrator Tom Mayo announced that Fire Chief Steve Murphy had mobilized the Emergency Operations Center earlier that day, bringing together representatives from Hingham, Hull, and Cohasset, water operations contractor Veolia, and consulting firm Apex to confront severe supply depletions at the Turkey Hill and Accord Pond storage tanks.
The resulting comprehensive outdoor water ban prohibits all non-essential uses, including lawn irrigation, car washing, pool filling, and recreational hose use. Officials emphasized that the restrictions are projected to stay in place for the remainder of the summer season. Residents are also urged to adopt aggressive indoor conservation practices, such as running shorter shower cycles and limiting laundry and dishwasher loads.
“I haven’t seen the urgency and the concern in our public safety facilities, public safety employees, the way I have in the last few days. They’re responsible for your safety and they cannot do so without adequate water. So please stop watering your lawns. The grass will come back next year.” — Tom Mayo, Town Administrator
