Watertown-MA Health Department

Watertown-MA Health Department This is the official page of the Health Department, providing access to information about the public health in the City of Watertown, MA.

This page is monitored and managed by the Health Department and the City's Communications Team and is not monitored 24/7. Purpose
The City of Watertown is committed to using current social media. Use of this technology meets a critical need to inform the public about city resources and activities, increase the use of city resources and provide additional communication with members of the public. T

he City of Watertown regards social media as an information source that is in accordance with its mission of serving the public to meet their informational, educational, cultural, and recreational needs. Social media sites allow all members of the community access to the resources of the City of Watertown without requiring a visit to the City Hall. Definition
Social media is defined as any website or application which allows users to share information. Examples of social media are: Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, wikis, photo sharing, video sharing, blogs, Flickr, Wordpress, and city reviews. Application
Comments, posts, and messages are welcome on the City of Watertown social networking sites/media. While the City recognizes and respects differences in opinion, all such interactions will be regularly monitored and reviewed for content and relevancy (before publishing if possible). The City of Watertown social media sites provide a limited (or designated) public forum intended for moderated discussion. Postings which contain the following will be removed at the City’s Communications staff’s discretion and the poster may be precluded from posting any subsequent messages to City social networking sites:

- Obscene, sexist or racist content
- Personal attacks, insults, or threatening language
- Potentially libelous statements
- Plagiarized or copy-written material
- Violation of intellectual property rights
- Private, personal information published without consent of the appropriate party
- Comments totally unrelated to the content of the discussion/posts that are off-topic
- Comments that have the sole purpose to annoy
- Hyperlinks to material that is not directly related to the discussion
- Commercial promotions, petitions, or spam
- Organized political activity
- Photos or other images that fall in any of the above categories

Notwithstanding the above, the City of Watertown is not obligated to take such actions and will not be responsible or liable for content posted by any subscriber in any forum, message board, or other area within our social media sites. City of Watertown Communications staff reserve the right to not publish any posting, or to remove it later. The staff reserves the right to edit or modify postings or content, while retaining the intent of the original post. The City has right to reproduce comments, posts and messages in other public venues/city publications. The City of Watertown assumes no liability regarding any event that occurs or interaction that takes place involving any participant in any city-sponsored social networking media service. The City does not endorse or review content outside the “pages” created by City staff. City social networking sites may be terminated at any time without notice to subscribers. Friending or Following between the City of Watertown and other pages or groups does not indicate endorsement of that page’s or group's actions or comments. Challenges to social media used by the City will be dealt with in the same manner using the City’s reconsideration policy. Patrons who are blocked and/or have had comments deleted by staff may appeal this action, in writing, to the Digital Communications Specialist of the City within 30 days; the Digital Communications Specialist will affirm or reverse the staff’s decision within 30 days after the written appeal. Indemnification
By posting content, the patron/user agrees to indemnify the City of Watertown and its officers and employees from and against all liabilities, judgments and damages and costs (including attorney’s fees) incurred by any of them which arise out of or are related to the posted content. If any user does not agree to these terms, he or she should not use the social media services.

Watertown’s risk for West Nile Virus (WNV) is high. WNV is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of an infecte...
08/24/2026

Watertown’s risk for West Nile Virus (WNV) is high.
WNV is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. The mosquitoes that carry this virus are common throughout the state and are found in urban as well as more rural areas. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe infection.
By taking a few, common sense precautions, people can help to protect themselves and their loved ones:
Avoid Mosquito Bites
• Apply Insect Repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin.
• Clothing Can Help reduce mosquito bites. Wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
• Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours - The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. When risk is increased, consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. If you are outdoors at any time and notice mosquitoes around you, take steps to avoid being bitten by moving indoors, covering up and/or wearing repellant.
• People over 50 or those who are immune compromised should adjust outdoor activity to avoid peak mosquito hours (from dusk to dawn).
Mosquito-Proof Your Home
• Drain Standing Water – Many mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools and change water in birdbaths frequently.
• Install or Repair Screens - Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly fitting screens on all your windows and doors.
Information about WNV and reports of current and historical WNV virus activity in Massachusetts can be found on the MDPH website at: www.mass.gov/mosquito-borne-diseases
[Image description: words "Notice from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Watertown’s risk for West Nile Virus (WNV) is high. Images about how to protect yourself, including bug spray, wearing long sleeves and long pants, having screens on windows, removing standing water from bird baths and elsewhere.]

Hi Watertown! Here's our follow-up post with treatment tips for heat-related illnesses. Try these tips if you or someone...
08/19/2026

Hi Watertown! Here's our follow-up post with treatment tips for heat-related illnesses. Try these tips if you or someone you know needs to cool down and get hydrated.

Stay safe, Watertown. 💙

[Image Description: words "treatment tips, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke," image of man drinking water, person sitting under tree, phone calling 911.]

Hello Watertown! We just wanted to give a special shout-out to our intern Cydnee as she finishes up her bachelor's degre...
08/17/2026

Hello Watertown! We just wanted to give a special shout-out to our intern Cydnee as she finishes up her bachelor's degree in public health. We can't wait to see what she does in the future! If you or anyone you know is interested in interning with the Health Department, keep an eye out for our intern interest form.

Watertown’s risk for West Nile Virus (WNV) has been upgraded to “Moderate”. There was no positive mosquito sample found ...
08/17/2026

Watertown’s risk for West Nile Virus (WNV) has been upgraded to “Moderate”. There was no positive mosquito sample found in Watertown, but positive samples were found in the surrounding areas.

WNV is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. The mosquitoes that carry this virus are common throughout the state and are found in urban as well as more rural areas. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe infection.

Normal precautions include: mosquito repellant, clothing that covers the skin, avoid peak hours, etc.

While the Watertown Public Health Department continues to work closely with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) and other agencies, locally we are applying larvicide to our catch basins and have provided information on actions to take to reduce your risk of contracting a mosquito-borne illness. Information about WNV and reports of current and historical WNV virus activity in Massachusetts can be found on the MDPH website at: www.mass.gov/dph/mosquito.

If you have questions or concerns, please call the City's Public Health office at 617-972-6446.

[Image description: words "West Nile Virus Moderate Risk," picture of a mosquito on a road sign.]

Hello Watertown! Here's some safe food handling information. The Danger Zone is the temperature range between 40°F and 1...
08/14/2026

Hello Watertown! Here's some safe food handling information. The Danger Zone is the temperature range between 40°F and 140°F where bacteria can grow. As bacteria grows on food, the risk of getting a foodborne illness increases. To prevent this, make sure to remove food from the Danger Zone after 2 hours, keep hot foods heated above 140°F, and keep cold foods chilled below 40°F. 🌡🧐

Stay safe, Watertown. 💙

[Image Description: words "Avoid the danger zone!" graphic of large thermometer that is color coded to show the hot, cold, and danger zone temperature range.

Hello Watertown! Summer is the perfect season for grilling and sitting outside with friends. Let's all be good grill mas...
08/12/2026

Hello Watertown! Summer is the perfect season for grilling and sitting outside with friends. Let's all be good grill masters and cook our food to safe temperatures. 🌭🍔😎

Remember...
-Color is not an indication of doneness.
-Use a food thermometer to ensure food reaches a safe internal temperature.
-Hamburgers should be cooked to at least 160 F.
-Chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 F.

Stay safe and have fun, Watertown! 💙

[Image Description: words "Be good grill masters and cook your food to safe temperatures!" image of grill with burgers, chicken, and hot dogs cooking on the surface.]

Hello Watertown! It's been so hot outside lately, so we want to ensure our residents can recognize the signs and symptom...
08/10/2026

Hello Watertown! It's been so hot outside lately, so we want to ensure our residents can recognize the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness. Each heat-related illness has its own unique symptoms and treatment methods. Stay tuned for a post about treatment methods, and as always, stay safe Watertown!💙

Heat Cramps ☀️
-Lots of sweating
-Muscle cramps

Heat Exhaustion 🥵
-Headache or dizziness
-Nausea or vomiting
-Irritability
-Feeling tired or weak
-Fast or weak pulse
-Cold, pale, clammy skin

Heat Stroke 😎
-High body temp
-Throbbing headache
-Seizures
-Passing out

[Image Description: words "Know the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness," image of a man working in a construction outfit and sweating outside and a woman gardening.]

Hello Watertown! As many of you have noticed, things have been heating up this week. Temperatures are expected to stay h...
08/07/2026

Hello Watertown! As many of you have noticed, things have been heating up this week. Temperatures are expected to stay high through August 11th, 2026. Please make sure to stay in the shade and remain hydrated!

Stay safe Watertown. 💙

[Image Description: words 'Heat wave alert, from August 4th, 2026 - August 11th, 2026,' graphic of sun and thermometer.]

Although the pool is a fun place it can also be very dangerous if you aren’t safe. Before you take a splash, remember th...
08/05/2026

Although the pool is a fun place it can also be very dangerous if you aren’t safe. Before you take a splash, remember these tips to swim safely this summer! 🏊😎☀️

Comment below how you’re going to swim safely this summer. Remember we’re in this together, Watertown! 💙

[Image description: words “Swim safely this summer,” graphic of blue puddles under the words swim and summer, man standing in pond with life jacket on, two children with floaties in a pool, lifeguard on chair looking out with binoculars]

Household sharps collection is happening today!!!!
08/04/2026

Household sharps collection is happening today!!!!

Hello Watertown! This upcoming Tuesday is our Household sharps collection day. It is located at 149 Main Street in the City Hall building, and it takes place from 3 - 6 pm.

Remember! Proof of Watertown residency is required, and no medical waste or commercial sharps will be accepted.

You can bring...
Locked sharps containers.
Used needles, syringes, and lancets stored in sturdy puncture-proof containers.
Unused capped needles, syringes, and lancets in original packaging.
Unused EpiPens in original containers.

Please pay attention to the acceptable and unacceptable sharps containers, as this is meant to keep residents and workers safe.

We hope to see you there! 💙💙

[Image description: words “Watertown Household Sharps Collection, Tuesday, August 4th, 2026 from 3 - 6 pm, located at 149 Main Street, lower hearing room inside City Hall,” images of hard plastic containers that are acceptable sharps containers and images of bags, cans, and water bottles that are unacceptable sharps containers.]

Address

124 Watertown Street
Watertown, MA
02472

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 7pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 12:30pm

Telephone

+16179726446

Website

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