By CHRIS COLLINS
(undated) — State officials are considering new policies regarding outdoor water usage. A hearing was held this week on proposed new Department of Environmental Protection regulations which would restrict nonessential outdoor water use during drought conditions. The new regs would also allow for greater restrictions to be imposed based on the severity of said drought. Massachusetts has had two significant droughts in the past five years, which supporters of the regulations say underscores the need for greater water protection measures.