Salem Water Restrictions 2026
Rockingham County · New Hampshire
Published: Updated:
Restrictions Active - Mandatory Water Restrictions - In Effect Since May 15, 2026
4
Days/Week
Sprinkler lawn watering: 12:00 AM - 10:00 AM on odd-numbered calendar days only
Allowed Hours
Enforced under the Town of Salem Mandatory Water Restrictions ordinance
Max Fine
Find Your Watering Day
This city assigns watering days by property location, not by address digit. Find your assigned days in the table below.
Watering schedule by property location
| Property Location | Watering Day |
|---|---|
| All addresses | Odd-numbered calendar days only (sprinkler watering of lawns) |
Allowed Watering Hours
The Town of Salem adopted Mandatory Water Restrictions on May 4, 2026, in effect since May 15, 2026 for all customers on the Town water system. Outside watering of lawns by manual or automatic sprinklers is permitted ONLY between 12:00 AM and 10:00 AM, and ONLY on odd-numbered calendar days. Automatic sprinkler systems must be reprogrammed to comply. There are no restrictions on handheld-device watering of landscapes, gardens, and flowers; that may be done any day at any time.
Still Allowed
💧 Hand Watering
Allowed with shut-off nozzle. Hours: Handheld-device watering of landscapes, gardens, and flowers is permitted any day, any time. The odd-day 12 AM-10 AM window applies only to sprinkler watering of lawns..
🌿 Drip Irrigation
Exempt from day-of-week limits. Must follow allowed hours.
Fines & Enforcement
Enforced under the Town of Salem Mandatory Water Restrictions ordinance
The Town of Salem Water Department enforces the mandatory restrictions adopted by the Town Council on May 4, 2026. Verify current enforcement and penalty details with the Water Department; restrictions apply to all customers on the Town water system.
Citations begin May 15, 2026 (adopted by Town Council May 4, 2026)🏠 HOA Rules During Restrictions
New Hampshire HOAs cannot enforce lawn-appearance standards that would require homeowners to violate active municipal water restrictions. Document compliance with the Town of Salem mandatory restrictions if your HOA sends a violation notice.
If your homeowners association sends a violation notice for a dormant or brown lawn during the current restriction period, respond in writing citing the applicable law and include a copy of the Town of Salem Water Department's current restriction order. Most HOAs will rescind the notice once they are made aware of the legal protections in place. If the issue persists, contact your county’s code enforcement division for assistance.
Why These Restrictions Exist
The Town of Salem (population ~30,000, Rockingham County) adopted Mandatory Water Restrictions at its Town Council meeting on May 4, 2026, in effect since May 15, 2026 for all customers on the Town water system. Salem operates its own municipal Water Department, distinct from regional utilities like Manchester Water Works or the Pennichuck system serving Nashua.
The restrictions respond to moderate drought conditions identified by the Federal National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) and the Town's own reservoir prediction water-level computer model. Salem is the first New Hampshire community to move to mandatory water restrictions in 2026; most NH utilities, including Manchester (~12 miles north) and Nashua (~12 miles west), remain on voluntary conservation.
The rule: sprinkler watering of lawns (manual or automatic) is permitted only from 12:00 AM to 10:00 AM, and only on odd-numbered calendar days. Residents with automatic in-ground sprinkler systems must reprogram their controllers. Handheld-device watering of gardens, flower beds, and landscaping is not restricted.
Salem, NH sits on the Massachusetts state line, directly north of Methuen, MA along the I-93 / Route 28 corridor. It is a separate community in a separate state from Salem, Massachusetts; Salem MA has its own water utility and its own drought response, and Salem NH residents should follow only the Town of Salem, NH rules described here.
This deficit has accumulated over the current water year and represents a significant departure from historical averages for the Salem area. Water supply reservoirs and aquifer levels are well below seasonal targets, necessitating mandatory conservation measures.
How to Keep Your Lawn Alive During Salem Water Restrictions
10 tips tailored for Salem homeowners during Mandatory Water Restrictions - In Effect Since May 15, 2026 restrictions.
Mandatory restrictions have been in effect since May 15, 2026: sprinkler lawn watering is allowed only 12:00 AM to 10:00 AM on odd-numbered calendar days.
Reprogram your automatic in-ground sprinkler controller now: set the start time so the cycle runs entirely within the 12 AM-10 AM window, and set it to skip even-numbered calendar days.
Handheld-device watering of gardens, flower beds, and landscaping is unrestricted: prioritise vegetables, new plantings, and high-value shrubs with a hand-held hose any day.
Kentucky Bluegrass and tall fescue dominate Salem lawns; both survive 4-6 weeks of summer dormancy and recover with rain. Allow browning rather than over-watering.
Mow at 3.5 inches and leave clippings on the lawn to shade soil and slow evaporation.
Install a rain barrel: captured rainwater is unrestricted and is ideal for gardens and flower beds.
Skip a scheduled odd-day cycle after any 0.25 inch or greater rainfall.
Salem, NH and Salem, MA are different towns in different states. Follow only the Town of Salem, NH Water Department rules; do not apply Salem, MA water rules here.
Convert overhead spray heads to rotary nozzles to cut water use roughly 30 per cent and stay within the narrow odd-day window.
Monitor salemnh.gov and news.salemnh.gov for any change in the mandatory restriction status.
Salem Water Restriction FAQs
What days can I water my lawn in Salem?
What hours can I run my sprinklers in Salem?
What are the fines for water violations in Salem?
Can I install new sod or seed in Salem during restrictions?
When will water restrictions end in Salem?
Is this Salem, NH, or Salem, MA, OR, VA, or WI?
I have an automatic sprinkler system. How do I reprogram for 12 AM to 10 AM on odd days?
What counts as an odd-numbered calendar day if I just moved to Salem?
What about my vegetable garden, flower beds, and handheld hose?
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