RI Water Resources Board

News Release

For Release: October 22, 2007

Contact:
Juan Mariscal, P.E., WRB (401) 574-8402
Beverly O’Keefe, WRB, (401) 574-8405

Rhode Island Issues Drought Advisory

Increased Monitoring of the Use of Water Supplies Needed Across the State

Following three months of unusually dry weather throughout the state, the Rhode Island Water Resources Board’s Drought Steering Committee has issued a Drought Advisory.

The Advisory calls on all water users to use water efficiently to minimize wasteful practices and to conserve our water resources. In addition, state, regional and local officials are advised to increase their vigilance regarding the use and levels of water supplies and to be concerned about possible increased forest fire danger. Recently, the States of Massachusetts and Connecticut also issued Drought Advisories.

The Drought Advisory is the second of five levels of drought conditions outlined in the Rhode Island Drought Management Plan (Normal, Advisory, Watch, Warning and Emergency). An Advisory level indicates dry conditions that warrant closer tracking of water use and conditions by all levels of government and the general public.

Rhode Island’s rainfall has declined steadily since July, with cumulative precipitation deficits of up to four - five inches below normal since then. October rainfall to date is also below normal. Stream flow is extremely deficient in many areas of the state, even for this time of year, when seasonally low stream flow is conditions are expected. Ground water levels have also declined. Other indicators such as soil moisture also indicate lower than normal conditions.

Juan Mariscal, P.E., General Manager of the State Water Resources Board stated: “Although fall and winter months are not peak water use periods, our concern is that this is the period of time when reservoirs and groundwater are recharged. Continued dry weather in the fall and winter could lead to more serious drought conditions when warmer weather and increased water use resume in the spring.”

While some smaller reservoir systems are low for this time of year, the Providence Water Supply Board supply system has lower levels but is within normal operating range. Some of the other water suppliers have continued their summer watering restrictions.

Mr. Mariscal noted that “While the Water Resources Board encourages all water users to use water efficiently and to conserve water as a matter of good practice, this Advisory is an opportunity for all water users to assess their water use practices to eliminate wasteful usages and to reduce leakage in their homes and business water systems”

Replacement of fixtures and appliances with new EPA WaterSense-labeled Appliances and fixtures could result in considerable increases in water use efficiency and reduced water consumption. Local suppliers can also provide water saving retrofit kits to their users.”

Water users are asked to abide by water restrictions imposed by their local public water supplier.

The Drought Advisory requires the Drought Steering Committee will meet again to reassess conditions at a meeting in November (to be announced).

The Drought Advisory is based on thresholds contained in the Rhode Island Drought Management Plan, State Guide Plan 724, a blueprint developed by the Drought Steering Committee to guide state activities in response to droughts and extended periods of dry weather.

The Drought Steering Committee includes representatives from the Governor’s Office, Water Resources Board, Departments of Environmental Management, Health, Statewide Planning Program, the Public Utilities Commission, State Fire Marshall’s Office, US National Weather Service, US Geological Survey, RI Agricultural Council, Audubon Society of RI, RI Water Works Association and other water suppliers.

For additional information about the Drought Advisory, please contact the Water Resources Board at www.wrb.ri.gov or call (401) 874-8400.

For more information regarding the EPA WaterSense Program, go to www.epa.gov/watersense/basic/index.htm