BOSTON — Following two months of below-normal precipitation, low groundwater levels since June, and below-average temperatures, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepper declared today a Level 2-Significant Drought in the Islands Region of Massachusetts. 

 

All other regions of the state – Western, Connecticut River Valley, Central, Northeast, Southeast, and Cape Cod regions – remain in Level 0-Normal conditions. The decision to declare was informed by recommendations by the Drought Management Task Force?(DMTF), which included discussions about groundwater in the Islands Region not fully recovering since the summer. 

 

"After receiving record rainfall in Western and Central Massachusetts this year, one thing is clear - no two regions are the same. We have declared a drought in the Islands because the area has not replenished its groundwater sources, unlike the rest of the state,"?said EEA Secretary Tepper. "Drought conditions have lasting impacts. It will be difficult to return to normal conditions as we experience more frequent, longer droughts. We encourage everyone to do their part and be mindful of water use." 

 

The Drought Management Task Force will meet again on January 9, 2024, at 10:00 am. State agencies will continue to closely monitor and assess conditions across the state, coordinate any needed dissemination of information to the public, and help state, federal, and local agencies prepare additional responses that may be needed in the future. For further information on water conservation and what residents can do, visit?the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’?drought page?and?water conservation?page.