Municipalities in the region are considering lifting restrictions on outdoor water use now that the state has declared the Connecticut River Valley is no longer in a drought.
Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper moved the region from a mild drought into normal conditions on Oct. 9 based on rainfall figures through August.
According to a statement from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, precipitation in September ranged from 5 to 12 inches across Massachusetts, which kept fire danger low for the beginning of autumn. While the statement reports that groundwater levels remain low in the eastern portions of the state, the Massachusetts Drought Dashboard shows that most Connecticut River Valley groundwater monitoring sites have recovered from low summer levels.
According to the National Weather Service, Hampshire County saw an average of 8.88 inches of rain in the last two months. Franklin County received 8.45 inches and Hampden County got 9.04 inches in the same time period.
Still, precipitation was slightly below the historical average for August and September, according to Andrew Loconto, lead meteorologist at the National Weather Service.
The new Massachusetts drought status is effective as of Sept. 1. In August, the state had moved the Connecticut River Valley region from a significant drought to a mild drought. Rainfall levels saw the most improvement between the two months.
Each month, the Massachusetts Drought Management Task Force assesses drought conditions based on precipitation amount, stream and groundwater levels, lake capacity, fire danger and evapotranspiration. The task force’s recommendation informs the state’s official drought declaration.
Municipal water permits can require water restrictions when the state declares a drought in the region. Nonessential outdoor watering was partially or fully banned in certain cities and towns over the summer when the area experienced significant drought. Normal conditions now allow municipalities to lift water bans, depending on their permit.
Belchertown, which restricted all outdoor watering activities for nearly a year, will consider lifting its ban. Water Superintendent Kevin Williams said the Board of Water Commissioners will discuss the updated drought status at its Oct. 20 meeting.
“We’re at the time of the year when people won’t be using irrigation water,” Williams said. “There will be more people who want to wash their houses and cars, and we can handle that.”
It’s a similar story in Sunderland, where the three commissioners serving the Sunderland Water District will meet on Oct. 19 to discuss whether to lift the restriction in town. Right now, the only restriction that Sunderland has is on lawn watering.
Water Commissioner Fred Laurenitis said he doesn’t envision the commissioners keeping the restriction in place, adding that lawn watering “isn’t going to be happening soon” as the calendar approaches late fall and winter.
The Amherst Department of Public Works will need to consult the town’s new water permit, which the town received a couple weeks ago. Superintendent Guilford Mooring said the restrictions could be lifted this month or continue until the end of November.
The Shelburne Falls Fire District, which manages the water supply in the village, typically lifts any water restriction it may have by Oct. 1, according to Water Department Superintendent Rebekah McDermott. This water restriction limited garden watering to before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m., and allowed use of handheld hoses only. Other outdoor uses of water, such as washing vehicles or spraying walkways, pavement or any other outdoor surfaces, was not permitted.
Though the state’s drought declaration has been lifted for the Connecticut River Valley, McDermott mentioned “things haven’t quite recovered” since the restrictions went into effect. Shelburne Falls has had a water restriction since May 19. As of Oct. 14, the water restriction was lifted, with the original notice posted to the Shelburne Falls Fire District’s website having been updated to reflect this change.
Although the Connecticut River Valley has seen improved hydrological conditions, eastern parts of the state continue to see dry conditions. The Northeast Region has moved from a Level 1 to a Level 2 drought. The Coastal Region remains in a Level 2 drought and the Southeast Region is in a Level 1 drought.
Loconto said these areas have seen higher precipitation, but the rain has not soaked into the ground to improve groundwater levels.
“This is our climatological wet season, moving into the fall and early winter,” Loconto said. “So there is some optimism that it should improve.”
