And private wells use the same aquifer.
* --Thich Nhat Hanh* On Sat, Sep 13, 2025, 1:16 AM Sara Mattes <[email protected]> wrote: > I would hope all in Lincoln would have shut off their auto-sprinkler > systems. > Ag. needs the water. > Our lawns not! > > > On Sep 12, 2025, at 5:23 PM, Bob Antia via Lincoln < > [email protected]> wrote: > > > FYI > > -Bob Antia > > > > > *Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency* > ------------------------------ > > Good afternoon – > > > > MEMA is forwarding this message on behalf of the Drought Management Task > Force. > > > > > > Good afternoon, > > > > Due to continued below normal rainfall over the last three months, Energy > and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepper declared a Level > 2 - Significant Drought in the Western, Connecticut River Valley, Central, > Northeast and Cape Cod Regions and on Nantucket County in the Islands > Region, Level 1 - Mild Drought in the Southeast Region, and Normal > Conditions on Dukes County in the Islands Region. Please see the below > press release with this declaration. > > > > Drought is a look back of cumulative conditions over a period of time. And > although recent rains have brought some reprieve and helped with increasing > soil moisture levels, the overall deficits in our hydrological systems > continue. To enhance awareness on the current drought conditions, EEA and > MEMA are asking local, state and regional partners and stakeholder groups > to assist in disseminating this critical information to residents, > businesses and institutions in their respective communities. We seek water > conservation all across the state, as per the attached. Note that there may > be further constraints on some local water supplies where additional > restrictions may apply. > > > > Attached are several outreach products for your use: > > · a one page “Drought Alert” (as a pdf and jpg) that > provides information on the current drought conditions and how communities > across the Commonwealth can do their part to help conserve water, prevent > wildfires and prepare for droughts. > > · infographics for Level 1 and Level 2 droughts > > > > We have also developed two short videos that cover the topics of why > drought gets declared even when there has been recent rainfall and why > water suppliers sometimes have to implement water use restrictions when > there are no immediate supply constraints on their systems. Both videos are > available at: *https://www.mass.gov/info-details/drought-tips-tools-resources > <https://www.mass.gov/info-details/drought-tips-tools-resources>*. > > > > For more information on the current drought conditions, technical guidance > regarding drought management actions and for drought-related tools and > outreach materials, please visit *www.mass.gov/ma-drought-management > <http://www.mass.gov/ma-drought-management>*; for water conservation > information, go to *www.mass.gov/conservemawater > <http://www.mass.gov/conservemawater>*. > > > > Sincerely, > > Vandana Rao > > *p.s. Please let me know if you do not wish to receive these alerts.* > > > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > Vandana M. Rao, Ph.D. > Director of Water Policy > Executive Director, Water Resources Commission > Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs > 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900 > Boston, MA 02114 > Office: (617) 721-3884 > www.mass.gov/conservemawater > www.mass.gov/drought > > Keep Up-to-Date with Water News on: MassWaters Instagram > <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.instagram.com/masswaters/__;!!CPANwP4y!TQPe4hmouW9gZo2-NSFDvsDX1g7NVM8QNlYiC1FXzOnwGWkJTx50E1U9vvvOf7kfcFwt1T99nmVtI1hbIp9aV5Xy-v54tmfcFWOhsQ$> > > Massachusetts Environmental Trust& Environmental License Plates: > www.mass.gov/eea/met; Facebook > <https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.facebook.com/whaleplate__;!!CPANwP4y!TQPe4hmouW9gZo2-NSFDvsDX1g7NVM8QNlYiC1FXzOnwGWkJTx50E1U9vvvOf7kfcFwt1T99nmVtI1hbIp9aV5Xy-v54tmcONJAhhA$>, > Instagram > <https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.instagram.com/met_env_licenseplates__;!!CPANwP4y!TQPe4hmouW9gZo2-NSFDvsDX1g7NVM8QNlYiC1FXzOnwGWkJTx50E1U9vvvOf7kfcFwt1T99nmVtI1hbIp9aV5Xy-v54tmc381Bkug$>, > LinkedIn > <https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.linkedin.com/company/massachusetts-environmental-trust-met__;!!CPANwP4y!TQPe4hmouW9gZo2-NSFDvsDX1g7NVM8QNlYiC1FXzOnwGWkJTx50E1U9vvvOf7kfcFwt1T99nmVtI1hbIp9aV5Xy-v54tme7DA_e7g$> > > > > > ------------------------------ > > *From:* Revolus, Aisha (EEA) <[email protected]> > *Sent:* Tuesday, September 9, 2025 2:40 PM > *Subject:* FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Significant Drought Conditions Declared > in Several Regions > > > > <image.png> > > > > *FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:* > > September 9, 2025 > > > > *CONTACT:* > > Aisha Revolus, [email protected] <[email protected]> > > > > *Significant Drought Conditions Declared in Several Regions * > > > > *Western, Connecticut River Valley, Central, Northeast Regions and > Nantucket County have worsened to a Level-2 Significant Drought, Southeast > Region has been raised to a Level-1 Mild Drought* > > > > <image.png> > > > > *BOSTON – *Today, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary > Rebecca Tepper declared that drought in the Western, Connecticut River > Valley, Central, Northeast Regions and Nantucket County has worsened to a > Level-2 Significant Drought. The Southeast Region has moved from normal > conditions to a Level-1 Mild Drought, while the Cape Cod Region remains at > a Level-2 Significant Drought, and Dukes County still in Normal Conditions. > > > > Drought is a look back on conditions over a period of time. Although the > spring and early summer months brought much-needed rainfall, which helped > bring many regions out of drought, below normal rainfall over the last > three months has quickly moved these regions back into a significant > drought. August was notably dry in Massachusetts, with most areas observing > 1 to 2 inches or more below normal rainfall. However, some areas of Central > Massachusetts did experience near- to above-normal precipitation. > Three-month precipitation deficits remain widespread, with much of the > state seeing only 40-80% of normal rainfall. > > > > “Warmer summers mean dryer environmental conditions in our parks, forests > and communities. As several regions experience significant drought > conditions, we must be mindful of these additional factors,” said *EEA > Secretary Rebecca Tepper.* “We urge the public to remain vigilant during > this time and adhere to local water restrictions and practice water > conservation. We can all do our part to prevent brush and forest fires by > exercising caution with outdoor activities like campfires, and the safe > disposal of smoking materials.” > > > > Streamflow has declined significantly in Massachusetts resulting in dry > streambeds, the ponding of rivers, and exposed banks along ponds and lakes. > Habitats, vegetation and fish migration out to sea have been impacted as a > result of drought conditions. Groundwater levels are mostly normal across > the region, but are quickly declining, especially on Cape Cod and > Nantucket, where they are already below normal. Although, recent rainfall > has provided some relief, the lack of precipitation and higher temperatures > have increased the risk for outdoor fires. > > > > As outlined in the Massachusetts Drought Management Plan > <https://www.mass.gov/doc/massachusetts-drought-management-plan/download>, > a Level 1 – Mild Drought and a Level 2 – Significant Drought require > detailed monitoring of drought conditions. These levels also require > ongoing coordination among state and federal agencies to implement drought > response actions such as water use restrictions. Additionally, engagement > with municipalities, including local Boards of Health, is essential. This > includes providing technical outreach and assistance to water suppliers and > affected municipalities. > > > > The Drought Management Task Force (DMTF) collected and analyzed data from > August 2024 through August 2025. Residents can report dry environmental > conditions and submit photos to help monitor the situation on the > Massachusetts > Water Impact Reporter <http://www.mass.gov/wir> (here). > <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/55e12399904742afab7d7cc5fca0ea18__;!!CPANwP4y!TQPe4hmouW9gZo2-NSFDvsDX1g7NVM8QNlYiC1FXzOnwGWkJTx50E1U9vvvOf7kfcFwt1T99nmVtI1hbIp9aV5Xy-v54tmegkTaiqg$> > Additionally, a FAQ > <https://www.mass.gov/info-details/202425-drought-frequently-asked-questions-faqs> > is now available for questions regarding the current drought status and > water conservation. > > > > The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) will > continue to assist communities in managing their water systems. The > Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) water supply system is not > experiencing drought conditions. > > > > Below are recommendations for communities and individuals living and > working within a Level 1 – Mild Drought and Level 2 – Significant Drought, > including those utilizing a private well. Residents and businesses are > strongly urged to check with their local water system in case more > stringent watering restrictions are in place. Many systems may have other > more severe local conditions and constraints on water supply. > > > > *For Regions in Level 1 – Mild Drought * > > > > *Residents and Businesses:* > > · Minimize overall water use; > > · Limit outdoor watering to one day per week from 5:00 > p.m. to 9:00 a.m., or less frequently if required by your water supplier; > > · Plant only local and drought-resistant species; > > · Fix indoor leaks, such as from toilets, faucets, and > showers, which result in more than 60 percent of indoor use; > > · For larger buildings and businesses, conduct water > audits to identify areas of leaks and potential water conservation > opportunities; > > · Minimize lawn sizes; and, > > · Harvest rainwater for outdoor watering. > > > > *Communities/Municipalities:* > > · Establish a year-round water conservation program that > includes public education and communication, taking advantage of the > state’s library of outreach materials > <https://www.mass.gov/info-details/water-resources-toolkit-library-of-outreach-materials> > ; > > · Provide timely drought and water conservation > information to residents and businesses; > > · Check emergency inter-connections for water supply; > and, > > · Develop a local drought management plan (learn more > here <https://www.mass.gov/guides/drought-planning-guidance>). > > > > *For Regions in Level 2 – Significant Drought * > > > > *Residents and Businesses:* > > · Minimize overall water use; > > · Limit outdoor watering to hand-held hoses or watering > cans, to be used only after 5 p.m. or before 9 a.m.; > > · Follow local water use restrictions; > > · Fix indoor leaks, such as from toilets, faucets, and > showers, which result in more than 60 percent of indoor use; and, > > · For larger buildings and businesses, conduct water > audits to identify areas of leaks and potential water conservation > opportunities. > > > > *Immediate Steps for Communities/Municipalities:* > > · Adopt and implement the state’s nonessential outdoor > water use restrictions for Drought Level 2 which calls for limiting outdoor > watering to hand-held hoses or watering cans, to be used only after 5 p.m. > or before 9 a.m. If local restrictions are more stringent, continue to keep > them in place during the course of the drought. > > · Limit or prohibit washing of hard surfaces (sidewalks, > patios, driveways, siding); personal vehicle or boat washing; and, > > · Establish water-use reduction targets for all water > users, identify top water users and conduct targeted outreach to help curb > their use. > > > > *Short- and Medium-Term Steps for Communities/Municipalities:* > > · Establish a year-round water conservation program that > includes public education and communication, taking advantage of the > state’s library of outreach materials > <https://www.mass.gov/info-details/water-resources-toolkit-library-of-outreach-materials> > ; > > · Provide timely information to local residents and > businesses; > > · Implement or establish drought surcharge or seasonal > water rates; > > · Check emergency inter-connections for water supply; > and, > > · Develop or refine your local drought management plan > using guidance outlined in the state Drought Management Plan > <https://www.mass.gov/doc/massachusetts-drought-management-plan/download> > . > > > > State agencies will continue to closely monitor and assess conditions > across the state, coordinate any needed dissemination of information to the > public, and help federal, state, and local agencies prepare additional > responses that may be needed in the future. The DMTF will meet > <https://www.mass.gov/info-details/drought-management-task-force-meetings> > again on Wednesday, October 8th at 10:00 AM. For further information on > water conservation and what residents can do, visit the EEA’s drought > <https://www.mass.gov/guides/drought-management-in-massachusetts> and water > conservation <https://www.mass.gov/conservemawater> pages. > > > > > > > > ### > > > ------------------------------ > > This message has been sent from MEMA's ESF Team Listserv. > > > <MA Drought Alert - Sept 12, 2025.pdf><MA Drought Alert - Sept 12, > 2025.jpg><2022-DroughtStatusInfographic-Lv2-R3-01.jpg> > <2022-DroughtStatusInfographic-Lv2-R3-02.jpg><level-1-mild-drought-infographic_residents > and businesses.pdf>-- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to [email protected]. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/ > . > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. > > > -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to [email protected]. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/ > . > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. > >
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