Don't forget the drought this winter

posted on: 1/17/2017

It's winter and there's snow on the ground, but that doesn't mean its time to forget the drought.

Dover and southern New Hampshire experienced an extreme drought over the last several months, leading to voluntary water restrictions and requests for water conservation in Dover. Drought conditions in Dover were recently changed from extreme to severe, thanks to recent snow and rainfall. However, it's important to remember that Dover and most of southern New Hampshire still remains in a severe drought, even in the winter. Precipitation levels are still short of the amount necessary to replenish the underground reservoirs from which the city draws its water.

“We know hundreds of private wells in New Hampshire have experienced water supply issues due to the drought and we expect to see more,” said Brandon Kernen, NHDES Hydrology and Water Conservation and Water Use Program Manager. “Looking for easy ways to save water indoors is not always obvious, but fixing household leaks and replacing old water wasting fixtures, such as showerheads, is a simple way for a family to save water, energy, and money on utility bills.”

Here's a look at what you can do to help conserve water during the winter, and the City of Dover's ongoing monitoring and response to drought conditions.

For more information about the drought in Dover and southern New Hampshire, including up-to-date drought conditions, visit the state's Department of Environmental Services online resource here.