From Vermont Emergency Management Director Eric Forand
We continue to see drought issues across the state, from dry wells to dying crops. There is little rain forecasted for the near future, and temperatures are expected to climb, so conditions are expected to worsen. Please ensure your town's water supply contingency plans are updated and can be used should the need arise.
The Agency of Agriculture has requested an agricultural disaster declaration for the entire state. If awarded, this will allow additional loan programs to be available to farmers.
Resources for towns, businesses, and individuals:
- State of Vermont Drought page: Find ways to report drought impacts and review drought resources for homeowners, agriculture, health concerns, and public water systems.
- Wildland fire risk: There is a statewide debris burning ban; no burn permits can be issued. All wildland fires should be reported to the state, regardless of size. Town fire wardens should report them through their online reporting tool.
Report drought impacts:
- If your private well or spring is low or dry, submit a drought report to the Department of Environmental Conservation using the online Drought Reporter.
- If a public drinking water system is experiencing problems due to the drought, contact the Drinking Water and Groundwater Protection Division at 802-828-1535 or submit an emergency drinking water report.
- Report general drought conditions, use the Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) Drought Impacts Toolkit.
Message to towns from the Department of Health
What Towns Can Do:
- Identify safe drinking water sources for people in your community.
- Help identify locations in your community where safe drinking water may be available for consumption, showering, etc. (for example, town library, town hall, town office, fire department, schools, or churches).
- Share These Short- and Long-Term Temporary Solutions for failing or Dry Wells with residents of your town:
- Filling food-safe containers with water from a known safe source that is a tested water supply (for example, a community or municipal water system or a neighbor’s or family member’s home).
- Buying water from a bulk water hauler and filling up a water tank or container.
- Do not fill wells or spring boxes with water delivered by a water hauler. This is because it could seep into the surrounding soils and bedrock before you can use it, which is against state regulations.
Roadside Springs:
- Please note that roadside springs are not considered a safe water source for drinking and cooking (or other water swallowing methods). Roadside springs are frequently contaminated by bacteria or other germs that can make people sick, which happened recently in New Hampshire. Often, what is happening on the land above them is not known.
- Using water from roadside springs for bathing, washing clothes, and flushing toilets is okay.
- Boil water for one minute before using it for drinking, cooking, washing fruits and vegetables, brushing teeth, and making ice cubes, and concentrated juices.
- Even after boiling, there could be health risks, especially for infants, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.
For general questions from people on private wells or springs, go to www.HealthVermont.gov/water/drought.