Governor Ned Lamont has declared a Stage 2 drought advisory for the entire state, as precipitation levels remain well below normal and the risk of fire danger remains elevated.

A Stage 2 advisory is meant to raise awareness that an “incipient drought” could impact water supplies, agriculture, or natural ecosystems.

“The lack of rain over the past two months has caused exceptionally dry conditions across Connecticut, resulting in numerous wildfires and reduced groundwater levels and streamflows,” said the governor in a statement.

“We want to raise awareness that as this lack of rain continues, there is a possibility that this emerging drought event could intensify, which is why we want to encourage everyone right now to be mindful of their water consumption and take some simple, sensible steps to stretch water supplies.”

In October, the governor declared a state of emergency, which is still in effect. A burn ban enacted by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) also remains in effect, prohibiting the use of outdoor grills, fire pits, campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors at all state parks, forests, and wildlife management areas.

Today’s Stage 2 drought advisory comes from a recommendation by the Connecticut Interagency Drought Workgroup, a state body of representatives from several agencies that met on Thursday. The group bases recommendations on an assessment of data monitored by state and federal agencies, including precipitation, surface waters, groundwater, reservoirs, soil moisture, vegetation, and fire danger conditions.

Office of Policy and Management Undersecretary Martin Heft, who chairs the workgroup, said, “In terms of precipitation, we have had the driest two-month period ever recorded since records began in 1905. We must begin early steps now to mitigate the potential for harm should the drought be prolonged.”

Among those steps, residents and businesses are encouraged to voluntarily minimize future drought impact by shutting down automatic outdoor irrigation, minimizing overall water use by fixing leaky plumbing and fixtures, and following conservation requests issued by local water suppliers and municipalities.

Stage 2 is the second of five levels under the Connecticut Drought Preparedness and Response Plan, where Stage 5 represents the most critical conditions.

• Stage 1: Below normal conditions
• Stage 2: Incipient drought
• Stage 3: Moderate drought
• Stage 4: Severe drought
• Stage 5: Extreme drought

More information on the Connecticut Interagency Drought Workgroup and the state’s drought plan can be found here.

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