Drought Resources

Drought Conditions Update - 8-15-2022 - Dept of Emergency Services and Public Protection

Information on statewide drought status can be found on the state website at the Connecticut Drought Information Center: https://portal.ct.gov/Water/Drought/Drought-Home

Private well owners can also find drought guidance here: https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/Departments-and-Agencies/DPH/dph/environmental_health/private_wells/Publications/112316DroughtGuidlnforPWUserspdf.pdf?la=en

Water Conservation

Water conservation, the practice of using water efficiently to reduce unnecessary usage, is essential as fresh, clean water is a limited resource. Glastonbury, through our Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD), emphasizes the importance of conserving this natural resource through policies related to aquifer protection and wetlands and watercourse preservation. Aquifers are essential drinking water sources for areas of Town not serviced by public water. The town has longstanding policies in the POCD pursuant to aquifer protection and has had zoning regulations in place since 1996 for the protection of groundwater. Wetlands and Watercourses ande also essential to the environment and help recharge and purify groundwater. To supplement these policies, the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency works to protect this valuable resource through the land use decision-making process.

The CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) reports that a typical shower uses 25 gallons of water and normal dish washing uses 30 gallons!* With day-to-day activities having such a significant impact on water use, it’s imperative that we each do our part to conserve water whenever possible. There are many simple ways to reduce water usage in your home and business, including the following:

• Turn water off while shaving or brushing your teeth
• Take short showers and fill the tub halfway when bathing small children
• Repair leaky faucets and toilets promptly 
• Wash and peel fruits & vegetables using a bowl of water rather than running the faucet
• Fill your dishwasher/laundry machine completely rather than running small loads
• Water the lawn or garden during the coolest part of the day (early morning is best). Avoid watering on windy days and when rain is in the forecast. You can also keep your lawn length a little longer to avoid the need to water more frequently.
• Sweep your driveway / garage to remove debris rather than using a hose

For a more comprehensive list of water conservation tips and resources, please view "Tips for Conserving Water" on the CT DEEP website.

Interested residents can also view the State Water Status here.