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 EEA, 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 groundwater levels remain low in the eastern portions of the commonwealth, the Massachusetts Drought Dashboard shows most Connecticut River Valley groundwater monitoring sites 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.
The precipitation was slightly below the historical average for August and September, said Andrew Loconto, lead meteorologist at the NWS.
The new Massachusetts drought status is effective as of Sept. 1. In August, the state 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 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.
Northampton already lifted its water restrictions for the year. The city limits watering from May 1 to Sept. 30, regardless of the state drought status. The Mill River, the city’s main drought indicator, has remained above the 10 cubic feet per second threshold. If the streamflow drops below this for three consecutive days, the city must restrict water use, said Richard Parasiliti, director of the Department of Public Works.
Belchertown, which restricted all outdoor watering activities for nearly a year, will consider lifting the 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.”
The Amherst Department of Public Works will need to consult the town’s new water permit, which the town received a couple of weeks ago. Superintendent Guilford Mooring said the restrictions could be lifted this month or last until the end of November.
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.”
