BRIDGEPORT, CT – Governor Lamont joined the Interagency Drought Workgroup to move all eight counties in the State of Connecticut to Stage 2 of the Connecticut Drought Response and Preparedness Plan. This decision was made in response to precipitation being below normal throughout the State which reduced ground water levels, stream flows, and soil moisture.

Under the state’s drought plan adopted in 2018, Stage 2 identifies an emerging drought event, potentially impacting water supplies, agriculture, or natural ecosystems. Those who depend on private wells, fire or irrigation ponds, and other highly localized water resources should be especially mindful of local conditions, especially in places where previous droughts have affected supplies.

Residents and businesses across the state are being asked to voluntarily take the following measures to aid in minimizing future drought impact:

• Reduce automatic outdoor irrigation

• Postpone the planting of any new lawns or vegetation

• Minimize overall water use by fixing leaky plumbing and fixtures

• Follow any additional conservation requests issued by water suppliers or municipalities

Mayor Ganim stated, “It’s critical that we each contribute towards reducing our impact by conserving water to ensure we do not move into any later, more serious phases of a drought.”

“Residents should be mindful of their water consumption and take sensible steps to reduce impacts on other water uses and on the environment,” said Governor Lamont. “We must begin early steps now to mitigate the potential for harm should the drought become prolonged.”

“We have experienced drier than normal conditions in the spring and early summer,” said Office of Policy & Management Undersecretary Martin Heft, who chairs the Interagency Drought Workgroup. “The combination of precipitation shortfalls and an extended period above normal temperatures have impacted the state’s water resources and increased demands upon them. Residents should not be alarmed, but begin taking steps now to reduce their water usage.”

The decision to move to Stage 2 is based on an assessment of indicator data monitored by state and federal agencies, including precipitation, surface waters, groundwater, reservoirs, soil moisture, vegetation, and fire danger conditions. The state has experienced this level of drought five times in the past two decades, in 2002, 2007, 2010, 2016 and 2020. If conditions deteriorate further, the state could reach Stage 3, having reached that threshold in four counties in 2020.

Tips on water saving measures can be found on the Department of Public Health’s website here.