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Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
Drought conditions improved across Massachusetts following above-average precipitation in July, but concerns remain, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper announced on Aug. 7.
The Northeast region is now at Level 2: Significant Drought, while the Southeast Region improved to Level 1: Mild Drought. The Western Region and Dukes County are now at Level 0: Normal.
The Cape Cod, Connecticut River Valley, and Central regions, along with Nantucket County, remain at Level 2: Significant Drought.
Precipitation in July was between 4.5 and 9.5 inches of rain, with much of the state seeing above-average rainfall during the month, Tepper said. Despite the rainfall, drought conditions persist because groundwater takes a while to recover from dry periods. Groundwater levels remain well below normal in eastern Massachusetts, and particularly on Nantucket.
Recent rainfall has been encouraging, Tepper said, but full recovery can only happen with continued precipitation.
“We all have a role to play, and continuing to conserve water will help protect our water supplies,” Tepper said.
The state’s drought status and resources are available online.
The state has also developed drought management and water conservation resources for individuals and municipalities to reduce strains on the water supply. Some immediate steps that communities can take include water restriction enforcement, establishing water-use reduction targets, and providing drought and water conservation information to residents and businesses.