Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs [EEA] Kathleen Theoharides announced on Monday, November 9, a reduction of the severity of drought conditions in Massachusetts due to higher amounts of rainfall in late October. Theoharides announced a change in the Central Region designation to a of a Level 1-drought.
According to the Massachusetts Drought Management Plan, Level-1 indicates a mild drought that warrants detailed monitoring of drought conditions, close coordination among state and federal agencies, and technical outreach and assistance for the affected municipalities.
The central region of Massachusetts had previously been designated Level-2, a significant drought where conditions are becoming significantly dry and warrant detailed monitoring of drought conditions, close coordination among state and federal agencies, emphasis on water conservation, more stringent watering restrictions, and technical outreach and assistance for the affected municipalities.
The Southeast Region and Cape Cod Region are the only regions that remain designated as Level-2.
In a Level-1 designation, resident and businesses are asked to:
- Minimize overall water use and focus on indoor water use; Toilets, faucets and showers are more than 60% of indoor use. Make sure yours are WaterSense efficient.
- Reduce any remaining outdoor watering to no more than one day per week and before 9:00am or after 5:00pm.
