Dover Utilities Commission urges water conservation amid extended drought

posted on 9/22/2025

As regional drought conditions extend into the 10th week, the Dover Utilities Commission urged the public to be mindful of their water use and conserve water where possible.

The DUC unanimously made the voluntary water recommendation at its monthly meeting on Sept. 15, as a proactive move after receiving an updated report from city staff on Dover's aquifer conditions.

"The aquifers are beginning to feel the effects (of the drought)," Community Services Director John Storer told the DUC.

Drought conditions worsen locally, statewide

The U.S. Drought Monitor this week upgraded Strafford County's drought designation from moderate to severe, as seen in the image below. Extreme drought conditions grew to nearly 23% of the state this week.

The Drought Monitor first classified drought conditions in the area on July 8, then upgraded it from abnormally dry to moderate drought on Aug. 12.

Some homeowners who rely on private wells are reporting that they are running dry, noting their pumps started running constantly when there was no water pressure.

Ted Diers, assistant water director with New Hampshire's Department of Environmental Services, told WMUR-TV, "What we're encouraging is for people to be very, very careful with their well water, be conservation-minded, use it gently.

Many neighboring communities have implemented mandatory water restrictions, including Exeter, Epping, Hampton, Lee, Newmarket, Newfields, North Hampton, Nottingham, and South Berwick, Maine. Portsmouth and Kittery, Maine, have called for voluntary water restrictions