As of early March 2026, Massachusetts is facing worsened drought conditions, with the Central and Northeast regions upgraded to a Level 3-Critical Drought due to low groundwater, despite heavy February snowfall. The Connecticut River Valley is at Level 2-Significant Drought, while the rest of the state is at Level 1-Mild. Critical Zones (Level 3): Central and Northeast Massachusetts are in critical drought, characterized by low streamflow and low reservoir levels.
Barnstable is among the many communities in Massachusetts that are advocating smart water practices by offering discounted rain barrel to residents. Scroll down to find out how to purchase your discounted rain barrel, help your community manage its water supplies, minimize storm water runoff and start saving money on your water bill.