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Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper announced on July 9 that drought levels were being raised in the Western region of the state — placing the entire state in at least “significant drought” status.
Following below-normal precipitation in May and June, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper announced on July 9 that drought levels were being raised in the Western region of the state — placing the entire state in at least “significant drought” status.
The hardest-hit region is the Northeast, which was raised to Level 3: Critical Drought in late May.
The Western region joins the Southeast, Cape Cod, the Islands, the Connecticut River Valley, and the Central regions at Level 2: Significant Drought.
Precipitation in June was between 1.5 and 4.5 inches, with persistent precipitation deficits throughout the state. The greatest deficits were on the Islands and the eastern and far southwestern parts of the state.
While recent precipitation was welcome, Tepper said, there is still a long way to go.
“As the summer progresses, we continue to ask that everyone work together to ensure our supplies remain available by using water wisely,” 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.