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.

06/19/2026

Happy Juneteenth! On this day in 1865, the United States officially ended slavery. Today, we celebrate freedom and our country's powerful Black history. Please take some time to learn about this holiday as you celebrate today! ❤️💛💚

[Image description: words “Juneteenth” unique lettering and small white shapes spelling out Juneteenth, red, yellow, and green border on the top right and bottom left of the image.]

06/17/2026

Hello, Watertown residents! Composting is an environmentally friendly form of waste disposal, so we must know what we can and can’t compost. Take a second to look over this post and share it with a friend who needs a reminder.

👍Do compost these items:
Wood
Stove, grill, and fireplace ash
Wine corks
Pet food
House plants
Hair and fur
Coffee grounds and filters
Eggs and eggshells
Fruits and vegetables
Pasta, grains, and bread
Dairy
Lobster shells

👎Do not compost these items:
Diseased yard waste
Plastic
Glass
Styrofoam food containers
Liquids
Bioplastics
Anything treated with chemicals
Large amounts of cooking oil

😀Remember composting safely...
Reduces our waste stream and leaves less trash in landfills.
Improves soil health.
Decreases greenhouse gases.
Assists with rodent control, as pests will not be attracted to a properly sealed compost bin.

The recycling center has community drop-off bins for composting, and we also offer a free curbside collection program for our residents. For more information, visit: https://www.watertown-ma.gov/740/Composting.

Remember, we are in this together, Watertown! 💙

[Image description: green composting bin with compost materials showing on the top, words “Composting dos and don’ts”]

06/15/2026

The Watertown Public Health Department is committed to protecting and promoting the health of our community. Comment below the information you are interested in seeing, and please follow this page for health facts and town updates.

Remember, Watertown, we are in this together!

[Image description: words “Watertown Public Health Prevent, Promote, Protect, We are in this together, Watertown” graphics of six different skin-toned hands reaching out to Watertown Public Health Department Logo]

Photos from Watertown-MA Health Department's post

05/27/2026

Back by popular demand! The Watertown Health Department is providing free sunscreen at our local parks for any resident or visitor to use to prevent melanoma and other skin cancers.

These dispensers are located at Hosmer Softball Field (Mt. Auburn St. side / near the bathrooms), Bemis Park (Bridge St. side), Filipello Dog Park, Howe Dog Park, and Arsenal Park (near the courts).
More dispensers will be placed at Filippello (near the splash pad), Casey Park, and Saltonstall Park.

Thanks to Bob DiRico and the Watertown Parks Team for getting them out this week!

Information about the sunscreen is on the side of the dispensers or feel free to give the Health Department a call at 617-972-6446.

Image Description [yellow sunscreen dispensers placed in various parks throughout the City].

05/04/2026

Due to the temporary Parker Building closure and pick up scheduling, the sharps kiosk will be closed. We will provide an update as soon as we can!

[Image description: the sharps kiosk with a closed stamp on it"].

Photos from City of Watertown, MA - Government's post

05/03/2026

Reminder! The City’s Parker Building at 124 Watertown Street will be temporarily closed from May 2-12, 2026, to undergo electrical service upgrades in the building.

All City Departments who work in the Parker Building will be relocated to Watertown City Hall’s Lower Hearing Room (ground floor of 149 Main Street) during the temporary closure. Members of the community needing to communicate with the departments below can continue to reach them by phone, or by visiting the Lower Hearing Room during their normal operating hours, which can be found on the City’s website at watertown-ma.gov.

- Public Health
- Inspectional Services Division
- Zoning & Code Enforcement
- Planning & Zoning
- Information Technology
- Public Buildings

The Watertown Food Pantry will be closed on their regularly scheduled days of May 5 and May 12, 2026, due to the service upgrades. To account for the closed dates, the Food Pantry will run a temporary schedule at their location in the Parker Building on:

- Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 10am – 2pm (regular hours)
- Friday May 1, 2026, 10am – 2pm
- Wednesday, May 13, 2026, 10am – 2pm
- Thursday, May 14, 2026, 10am – 2pm
- Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 10am – 2pm (regular hours)

The City has communicated with all private tenants in the Parker Building, who will not be able to operate in the building during this closure. To learn of those businesses’ plans during the closure, please reach out to those businesses directly.

[image description: image one is of an aerial photo of the Parker Building with words “Parker Building Closure, May 2-12, 2026”. Image two is a photo of the Parker Building with a list of the effected departments. Image three is a list of the Food pantry’s temporary schedule.]

04/30/2026

The Department of Public Works (DPW) helped rescue some baby ducks the morning of April 29, 2026! Residents reported that the ducklings fell into a storm drain near Arsenal Street, and that the mother duck was pacing around and calling for help. DPW and Animal Control responded and, after some effort, were able to remove the drain cover and rescue all 13 baby ducks! They rejoined mom and waddled away.

See photos of the rescue on the Watertown-MA Health Department page.

04/28/2026

Household Hazardous Waste Collection will be held at the Minuteman Household Hazardous Products Regional Facility at the Lexington Compost Facility, 60 Hartwell Avenue, Lexington on Saturday, May 23, 2026, from 9AM to 2PM.

NOTE: Registration is required for all HHW collection dates. More information: https://watertown-ma.gov/518/Household-Hazardous-Waste

**Please note registration closes 24 hours prior to each event**

Upcoming Collection Schedule
Saturday, May 23, 2026, from 9AM to 2PM
Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 9AM to 2PM
Saturday, July 18, 2026, from 9AM to 2PM
Saturday, August 15, 2026, from 9AM to 2PM
Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 9AM to 2PM
Additional 2026 collection dates (through November to be finalized.)

[Image description, three hazardous warning logos, words "Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection"]

03/19/2026

We think the RATS and Lucky the Leprechaun are in cahoots... While we appreciate the spirit, please do NOT leave food items out for rats or other wildlife to eat. This only contributes to the rodent activity.

02/03/2026

Make sure to sign up to take CPR with our amazing Public Health Nurse!!

First Aid & CPR Training

Get your certificate for CPR and First Aid training with Watertown’s Public Health Nurse!

Classes take place at the Parker Building, Suite 3H, 124 Watertown St, and are offered:

March 3, 2026, at 2pm
March 10, 2026, at 2pm
April 14, 2026, at 2pm
April 21, 2026, at 2pm

The fee is $40/person, with a maximum of 6 people per class.

Registration is required.
Register now: https://watertownma.portal.opengov.com/categories/1073/record-types/1006598

Why Attend?

How to perform CPR and use an AED on adults (child and infant are optional)
Basic first aid for injuries and other common emergencies
How to handle choking, cardiac arrests, and more

The class will take up to 2 hours (and 1 extra hour if you choose to do child and infant)

Please wear loose and comfortable clothing.

Inform the instructor if you have physical limitations that prevent you from performing the skills.

Call 617-972-6446 if you have any questions.

[Image description: words "First Aid & CPR Training" photo of people practicing CPR]

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Location

Watertown

Telephone

+16179726446

Website

https://www.watertown-ma.gov/184/Health

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