New London Country Drought Now In Stage 3

From the Town of Stonington:

October 7, 2020

Please take note, New London county has now entered into Stage 3 drought, which is a moderate drought event impacting water supplies, agriculture, or natural ecosystems.

Conditions in eastern Connecticut have deteriorated rapidly in recent weeks. Fire fighters throughout the state have responded to numerous reports of wildland fires, including a Windham fire that consumed 94 acres before being fully contained. The dry nature of the soil subsurface means that any fires that ignite are difficult to extinguish completely, since they often smolder below ground, well out of reach.

To ensure drinking water supplies remain adequate if the drought persists, residents and businesses in Stage 3 counties are being asked to voluntarily take the following measures:• End irrigation of established lawns and limit other outdoor water uses;• Prepare for using alternative water sources in the event wells, farm ponds, fire suppression supplies, or other critical water sources become depleted;• Avoid burning in or near woodlands or brushlands, and obey any municipal or state orders for outdoor burning bans; and• For those on private wells, limit water use to only essential needs to reduce the chance of well depletion (see guidance for private well users)

Stage 3 is the third of five stages of drought defined in the Connecticut Drought Response and Preparedness Plan. Stage 3 initiates additional state review of options for preparing for potentially more serious conditions in the future.

More information on the Interagency Drought Workgroup and the State Drought Plan are available at www.ct.gov/waterstatus.

This press release was produced by the Town of Stonington. The views expressed here are the author’s own.