City urges voluntary water conservation as Pudding Hill aquifer remains offline

posted on 7/22/2022

The City of Dover Community Services’ Director John Storer requests city water users to conserve water wherever possible as moderate drought conditions persist into its third week.

This voluntary conservation request is due to the city’s primary drinking water source, the Pudding Hill aquifer, remaining offline as a new water treatment facility is being built. Other factors include the lack of rainfall and the ongoing heat wave increasing water use. Precipitation levels since late spring have fallen short of the amount necessary to replenish the underground reservoirs from which the city draws its water.

“We’re asking the public to be mindful of their water use to ensure we have a sustainable drinking water supply,” said Storer. “Water levels are decreasing at all of our drinking water aquifers, including the Pudding Hill aquifer, which is not being used.”

This voluntary conservation request results from consultation with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. Conservation measures suggested by the NHDES and city staff include no outdoor water use except hand watering of vegetable gardens, flower gardens and new plantings, and shutting off automatic irrigation systems. The U.S. Drought Monitor has classified the region as being in moderate drought since July 5 and abnormally dry since July 28. The Drought Monitor also classified Dover as abnormally dry from May 17 through June 14.

Monitoring wells at the city’s aquifer levels have shown levels decreasing levels since early spring, though still above levels experienced through the extended drought of 2020 through mid-2021. The Pudding Hill aquifer, capable of supplying about 40% of the water demand in the city, has been offline since 2019, when Storer and City Manager J. Michael Joyal, Jr., electively reserved it for emergency use until the treatment facility is online, expected within two years.

If drought conditions persist and voluntary conservation measures are inadequate, the City Manager may enact mandatory water use restrictions to ensure a sustainable drinking water supply.

The city’s water users can learn more about current drought conditions, outdoor water use restrictions, water efficiency tips, and drought guidance at NHDES dedicated page at https://www.des.nh.gov/climate-and-sustainability/storms-and-emergencies/drought.