It has been a gray, rainy week on the South Shore yet we are still in a drought. As of February 1, the Southern Region of Massachusetts (MA) has been in a Level 2 Significant Drought, with most of the state in a Level 3 Critical Drought (updated drought conditions are expected early next week). This may come as a surprise to those of you who live in areas where the ground is wet and reservoirs appear to be full, but the real concern is groundwater—water that flows underground and feeds our rivers and streams.
Groundwater is typically recharged with precipitation that falls during the fall and winter months but most of MA has experienced some level of drought since August. As a result, groundwater levels are unusually low. At last month’s River Herring Counting Workshop, a state fisheries biologist shared his observation that groundwater is the lowest it has been in 60 years, and local water suppliers have reported wells at only 25% capacity.
The situation will likely worsen as trees and plants end their dormancy period and begin drawing more groundwater when budding in coming weeks. Even with some precipitation, groundwater levels are expected to decline further.
While we can’t control the weather, we can manage our water usage. This may be our earliest call for water conservation but it will be essential to ensure adequate supply through spring and summer. Every little bit helps and here are some practical steps to get you started:
- Check for leaks. One of the easiest ways to do this is to check your water meter when you stop using water for the day, and check again when you wake up in the morning. If the meter changed, there is a leak in your home.
- Calculate your daily water usage using your water bill. The state recommends 65 gallons per person per day.
- Download NSRWA’s 16-page Greenscapes Guide for tips on creating a healthy, water-saving yard the natural way.
- Know your local waters. The US Geological Survey’s stream gages measure streamflow across the country and you can find real-time data via their interactive map. The Indian Head River gage falls in the North and South Rivers Watershed and, while streamflows don’t always reflect groundwater conditions, this can be a useful tool to track streamflow over time and make comparisons to average flows.
NSRWA continues to advocate for water conservation across the region and state, most recently signing on to an amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) brief with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Appeals Court. This brief supports the Department of Environmental Protection’s 2023 regulations requiring “registered” water users to conserve water during droughts. These regulations are especially critical as we continue to experience the impacts of a changing climate, and the brief outlines the negative effects of excessive water withdrawals on streamflows and water quality throughout Massachusetts. Click here for more information and to read the full brief.
For more water conservation ideas, click here.