{"id":9011,"date":"2026-08-07T14:24:08","date_gmt":"2026-08-07T18:24:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sudbury.ma.us\/conservationcommission\/?p=9011"},"modified":"2026-08-07T14:24:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T18:24:08","slug":"current-drought-status-6","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sudbury.ma.us\/conservationcommission\/2026\/08\/07\/current-drought-status-6\/","title":{"rendered":"Current Drought Status"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"ma__rich-text \" dir=\"auto\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sudbury.ma.us\/conservationcommission\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/273\/2026\/08\/2026-07drought_status08-07-26L0WL0D.jpg?version=623ed0a2937252c34493e6422587f8f5\" alt=\"Drought Status Map July 1, 2026\" \/>&nbsp;<em>*The drought levels shown in the map above are in effect until the next drought declaration<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>August 7, 2026:<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Today, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepper declared the Western Region and Dukes County have returned to normal conditions after above-average rainfall in July improved drought conditions across much of Massachusetts.<\/p>\n<p>The following regions remain in drought:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Level 2 \u2013 Significant Drought:&nbsp;<\/strong>Cape Cod, Central, Connecticut River Valley, and Northeast, as well as Nantucket County<\/li>\n<li><strong>Level 1 \u2013 Mild Drought:&nbsp;<\/strong>Southeast<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Massachusetts received between 4.5 and nearly 9.5 inches of rain during July, with most of the state receiving more rain than is typical for the month. The rainfall helped replenish rivers, streams, and soil. Even with that improvement, drought conditions remain in parts of the state because groundwater, which supplies wells, rivers, and wetlands, recovers more slowly than rainfall. The greatest long-term precipitation deficits remain in eastern Massachusetts, particularly Nantucket, where groundwater levels continue to be well below normal despite recent rain.<\/p>\n<p>The Drought Management Task Force (DMTF) will continue monitoring conditions over the coming weeks to determine whether the recent rain will lead to lasting improvements.<\/p>\n<p>As outlined in\u202fthe\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mass.gov\/doc\/massachusetts-drought-management-plan\/download\">Massachusetts Drought Management Plan<\/a>, communities in Level 2 \u2013 Significant Drought and Level 1 \u2013 Mild Drought should continue taking steps to conserve water. Although the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority\u2019s (MWRA) water supply system is not currently experiencing drought conditions, it\u2019s still important for residents and businesses served by the MWRA to conserve water.<\/p>\n<p>State agencies continue coordinating drought response efforts with federal and local partners, including municipal officials and local Boards of Health (BOH). Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is providing technical assistance and outreach to communities affected by drought conditions.<\/p>\n<p>Residents are encouraged to report dry environmental conditions and upload photos through the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mass.gov\/wir\">Massachusetts Water Impact Reporter<\/a>&nbsp;to help the state monitor drought impacts in real time. Private well owners experiencing problems such as dry wells should contact their local BOH, which is also asked to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/forms.office.com\/pages\/responsepage.aspx?id=Fh2GPrdIDkqYBowE2Bt7KrlZu5Ea_-9PgVk0nQG_lCpURTNVTkNGNjI0V0xYTTRDWEY5RjJYTExLTC4u&amp;route=shorturl\">report<\/a>&nbsp;local well conditions to the state and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mass.gov\/info-details\/information-for-private-well-owners-during-a-drought\">private well owners can learn more<\/a>&nbsp;for information on how the drought may&nbsp;impact&nbsp;them.<\/p>\n<p>Additional information, including drought&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mass.gov\/info-details\/202425-drought-frequently-asked-questions-faqs\">FAQs<\/a>,&nbsp;water conservation guidance, and resources for private well owners, is available online.<\/p>\n<p>The DMTF will&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mass.gov\/info-details\/drought-management-task-force-meetings\">meet<\/a>&nbsp;again on&nbsp;August 20th&nbsp;at 10:00 AM.&nbsp;For further information on water conservation and what residents can do, visit the EEA\u2019s&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mass.gov\/guides\/drought-management-in-massachusetts\">drought<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mass.gov\/conservemawater\">water conservation<\/a>&nbsp;pages.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Below are actions communities and individuals living and working within Level 2 \u2013 Significant Drought and&nbsp;Level 1 \u2013 Mild Drought Regions can take, including those&nbsp;utilizing&nbsp;a private well. Residents and businesses are strongly encouraged to check with their local water system for any additional&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qlM2rM9WS8Y\">restrictions<\/a>, as some communities may face more severe local water supply conditions.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"for-regions-in-level-2-significant-drought\">For Regions in Level 2 \u2013&nbsp;<strong>Significant&nbsp;<\/strong>Drought<\/h3>\n<h4 id=\"residents-and-businesses\">Residents and Businesses:<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Minimize overall water use;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>Follow local water use restrictions;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>Fix indoor leaks, such as from toilets, faucets, and showers, which result in more than 60 percent of indoor use; and,<\/li>\n<li>For larger buildings and businesses, conduct water audits to&nbsp;identify&nbsp;areas of leaks and potential water conservation opportunities.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 id=\"immediate-steps-for-local-governments\">Immediate Steps for Local Governments:<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Limit or prohibit washing of hard surfaces (sidewalks, patios, driveways, siding), personal vehicle or boat washing; and,&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>Establish water-use reduction targets for all water users,&nbsp;identify&nbsp;top water&nbsp;users&nbsp;and conduct targeted outreach to help curb their use.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 id=\"short-and-medium-term-steps-for-local-governments\">Short- and Medium-Term Steps for Local&nbsp;Governments:<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Establish a year-round water conservation program that includes public education and communication, taking advantage of the state\u2019s&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mass.gov\/info-details\/water-resources-toolkit-library-of-outreach-materials\">library of outreach materials<\/a>;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>Provide&nbsp;timely&nbsp;information to&nbsp;local residents&nbsp;and businesses;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>Implement or&nbsp;establish&nbsp;drought surcharge or seasonal water rates;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>Check emergency inter-connections for water supply; and,&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>Develop or refine a local drought management plan using guidance outlined in the state Drought Management&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mass.gov\/doc\/massachusetts-drought-management-plan\/download\">Plan<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"for-regions-in-level-1-mild-drought\">For Regions in Level 1 \u2013&nbsp;<strong>Mild&nbsp;<\/strong>Drought&nbsp;<\/h3>\n<h4 id=\"residents-and-businesses-1\">Residents and Businesses:<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Minimize overall water use;<\/li>\n<li>Limit outdoor watering to one day per week from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m., or less frequently if required by your water supplier;<\/li>\n<li>Plant only local and drought-resistant species;<\/li>\n<li>Fix indoor leaks, such as from toilets, faucets, and showers, which result in more than 60 percent of indoor use;<\/li>\n<li>For larger buildings and businesses, conduct water audits to identify areas of leaks and potential water conservation opportunities;<\/li>\n<li>Minimize lawn sizes; and,<\/li>\n<li>Consider installing a rain barrel to harvest rainwater for outdoor watering.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 id=\"communities-municipalities\">Communities\/Municipalities:<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Establish a year-round water conservation program that includes public education and communication, taking advantage of the state\u2019s&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mass.gov\/info-details\/water-resources-toolkit-library-of-outreach-materials\">library of outreach materials<\/a>;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>Provide timely drought and water conservation information to residents and businesses;<\/li>\n<li>Check emergency inter-connections for water supply; and,<\/li>\n<li>Develop or refine a local drought management plan using guidance outlined in the state Drought Management&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mass.gov\/doc\/massachusetts-drought-management-plan\/download\">Plan<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"past-droughts-and-declaration\" class=\"ma__comp-heading \">Past Droughts and Declaration<\/h2>\n<div class=\"ma__rich-text \" dir=\"auto\">\n<h3 id=\"drought-history\">Drought History<\/h3>\n<p>The information in this&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mass.gov\/info-details\/history-of-drought-declarations-in-massachusetts\">Drought Status History<\/a>&nbsp;dates to 2001, when the Massachusetts Drought Management Plan was developed in response to a period of deficient precipitation that began in 1999. The most severe drought of modern times was the drought of the 1960s, equivalent to a drought emergency. A less severe drought occurred in the early 1980s.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The Commonwealth experienced another impactful drought in 2016-2017 with drought levels reaching Level 4 Drought (Warning) out of five levels of drought; the drought impacted the agricultural sector, some water supplies, the natural environment and many habitats and species.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mass.gov\/doc\/massachusetts-drought-retrospective-2016-2017\/download\">&nbsp;Read more about the drought, how it fared and the state responses and actions<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>*The drought levels shown in the map above are in effect until the next drought declaration &nbsp; August 7, 2026: Today, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepper declared the Western Region and Dukes &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/sudbury.ma.us\/conservationcommission\/2026\/08\/07\/current-drought-status-6\/\" aria-label=\"Read full article about Current Drought Status\">Read full article<span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":180,"featured_media":9012,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sudbury.ma.us\/conservationcommission\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9011"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sudbury.ma.us\/conservationcommission\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sudbury.ma.us\/conservationcommission\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sudbury.ma.us\/conservationcommission\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/180"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sudbury.ma.us\/conservationcommission\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9011"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/sudbury.ma.us\/conservationcommission\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9011\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9017,"href":"https:\/\/sudbury.ma.us\/conservationcommission\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9011\/revisions\/9017"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sudbury.ma.us\/conservationcommission\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9012"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sudbury.ma.us\/conservationcommission\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9011"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sudbury.ma.us\/conservationcommission\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9011"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sudbury.ma.us\/conservationcommission\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9011"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}