The availability of fresh water for irrigation in many parts of the United States is becoming critically limited. This is true even for the northeastern US where many people perceive an abundance of fresh water. Waste water has long been successfully used for irrigation in the Southwestern US where many salt tolerant turfgrass are used. The objective study was to determine the impact of simulated waste water on the soil health and the quality of two cool season turfgrass species grown on a wide range of soils during extended drought conditions in the humid Northeast. Rainfall during the second half (July-Oct.) of the first year (2005) and the entire growing season (May-Sept.) of the second year (2006) was excluded by a rainout shelter. Simulated waste water from a typical NY wastewater treatment plant (normal, EC of 0.82 dS/m) and high salt level (EC of 1.64 dS/m) waste water was used for irrigation during the simulated drought period. In 2005, the use of waste water irrigation, including twice the salt level, had little or no effect on turfgrass quality and soil health (soil salt level and water infiltration rate). However, in 2006 with an extend drought, normal waste water resulted in lower quality (but acceptable) and higher soil salt levels. High salt waste water resulted in unacceptable lower quality and much higher soil salt levels. With four months of irrigation, there was unacceptable quality at soil salt levels of >4 dS/m for Kentucky bluegrass compared to creeping bentgrass at 6 dS/m. Slightly more salt damage on turf was noted in sand. Using waster water for turfgrass irrigation may be problematic in the Northeastern US during an extended drought period when salt sensitive turfgrass are used.