An estimated 544,709 people in Essex County are currently living within areas affected by Extreme Drought.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, “these areas have received near or less than half of normal rainfall over the last 3 months, and only about 50 to 65 percent of normal in the last half-year, which is 9 to 11 inches less than normal.”
Even amongst the rest of New England, Essex County stands out as facing some of the most severe conditions in the region. “Temperatures averaged over 3 deg. F above normal in a large area across … the northeastern quarter of the country, exacerbating dryness in areas that missed the heavier rains,” the Drought Monitor’s weekly summary read.
Local public services are responding to the increasingly dire conditions by encouraging cooperation between residents and their public works.
A post put on Facebook by the Lynn Fire Department on Aug. 9 urged people to stop all non-essential outdoor water use, minimize water use indoors, and limit the installation of new plants or landscaping.
On Aug. 4, Lynnfield Center Water District implemented a “full outdoor water ban in response to prolonged hot and dry weather and higher-than-normal customer demand.” This is yet another restriction since the district announced Level 5 water restrictions on July 25.
In a statement, Board of Water Commissioners Chairman Jack Adelson said, “For now, we have no choice but to implement the restrictions and have residents comply. We are not alone. Most communities around us and across the state are in the same situation. Just drive around and look at streams and ponds and other open bodies of water. Everything is very dry.”
“We are a utility. Our objective is to provide water for people to use. But currently, our system can only produce so much and we need to prioritize system pressure and fire suppression ahead of outdoor watering…. When additional supply sources come online, we will have more options available,” he added.
For more information, visit https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu.
Emma Fringuelli can be reached at [email protected].
