Connecticut is under a “Stage 2” drought advisory that has exacerbated fire potential, with lack of precipitation prompting at least two water companies to ask for adjustments in water usage until the state gets more rain.
But across the state reservoir levels remain good, and residents don’t have to worry about the water supply — for now anyway.
The drought declared recently by Gov. Ned Lamont’s office refers to a lack of rainfall, but high amounts of rain in the summer have filled reservoirs, water company officials say.
It’s the amount of rain in the fall and upcoming winter that will determine where reservoirs stand as the high usage spring and summer approach, the experts say.
“We want to start capturing rainfall for next spring,” said Peter Fazekas, director of communications for Aquarion Water Co., which supplies water to more than 700,000 people in 60 towns through Connecticut, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
Lamont’s office released a statement going into the Veterans’ Day weekend the drought is caused by “far below normal precipitation levels” and there is an ongoing fire danger levels statewide.
The advisory means that the state is at “an awareness stage,” and it also notifies residents that an “emerging drought event that could potentially impact water supplies, agriculture, or natural ecosystems,” a Lamont spokesperson said
Aquarion has requested that customers shut down their irrigation systems, which have remained on longer because of warmer than usual weather, Fazekas said.
But he said while they’re seeing more usage at this time of year, “we’re not in jeopardy” of reaching any of their drought level markers.
In other words, for now, there is enough water.
He said reservoirs are dropping because of lack of precipitation and the high outdoor water demands.
The former is up to Mother Nature, but Fazekas said latter will naturally take care of itself as temperatures drop and water in irrigation lines freeze.
Water companies count on the water supply to replenish every year during fall and winter so the reservoirs are up full in spring when heavier usage starts.
Ed Crowder, spokesman for South Central Regional Water Authority, with 17 member towns, said they have a “robust supply” of water from all the summer rain.
He said they still encourage customers, as always, to conserve water where they can.
“We’ll see how things look this winter,” Crowder said, noting they are hoping for lots of rain and snow.
Nick Salemi, spokesperson for the Metropolitan District, which provides water for more than 400,000 in Greater Hartford, said their reservoirs are at about 89 percent, meaning lots of water.
Salemi said that while it’s been a dry fall season, it rained a lot this summer and at the end of July their reservoirs were 97 percent full.
“So we were high going into it (the drought period),” he said. “This time of year there’s less daily use.”
He said MDC is “fortunate” to have two large surface water reservoirs built to withstand droughts.
“We are carefully monitoring the weather conditions and reservoir levels daily, as we do regardless of drought conditions and will update customers when necessary,” Salemi said. “While we always encourage customers to use water wisely, there are no current water use restrictions for MDC customers.”
The governor’s office said the drought level two is the second of five levels under the Connecticut Drought Preparedness and Response Plan, with Stage one the lowest and Stage five the most extreme.
Lamont said in the recent statement: “The lack of rain over the past two months has caused exceptionally dry conditions across Connecticut, resulting in numerous wildfires and reduced groundwater levels and streamflows…We want to raise awareness that as this lack of rain continues, there is a possibility that this emerging drought event could intensify, which is why we want to encourage everyone right now to be mindful of their water consumption and take some simple, sensible steps to stretch water supplies.”
Since Oct. 21, Connecticut has experienced about 150 brush fires, of which, at the most recent count, 74 fires were being monitored and 13 were in the mop-up stage, according to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Among those being monitored, 59 fires were being carefully watched for signs of reignition due to ongoing dry and windy weather.
A statewide emergency burn ban remains in effect for all state parks, forests and wildlife management areas, prohibiting any outdoor flames, including grills, fire pits, and campfires, according to the state’s DEEP. Over 90 towns in the state have also implemented local burn bans to address the elevated fire danger this fall.
For residents who live in a town with a local burn ban, the use of outdoor grilling or fire pits is prohibited in backyards.
