By Anne White
Connecticut’s ongoing drought conditions have prompted Governor Ned Lamont to declare a Stage 2 Drought Advisory for all eight counties, including Fairfield County, which encompasses New Canaan. The advisory, announced on November 9, highlights prolonged dry weather and low water reserves affecting the state’s fire risk, water availability, and natural habitats.
Stage 2 represents the second level in Connecticut’s five-tier Drought Preparedness and Response Plan. This advisory is not as severe as the highest levels but signals a worsening trend that warrants attention. The goal is to raise public awareness and encourage preemptive conservation efforts before water shortages significantly impact the community, agricultural productivity, and the state’s ecosystems. According to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), drought levels have been worsening due to far-below-normal precipitation. The low levels of precipitation along with persistent windy weather has also increased statewide fire risk.
“We have experienced significantly drier than normal conditions this fall,” explained Office of Policy and Management Undersecretary Martin Heft, chairman of the Connecticut Interagency Drought Workgroup. “In terms of precipitation, we have had the driest two-month period ever recorded since records began in 1905 and have seen the impacts with increased fire danger conditions. We must begin early steps now to mitigate the potential for harm should the drought be prolonged.”
To help mitigate these concerns, New Canaan residents and businesses are encouraged to adopt water conservation measures. Governor Lamont’s office and DEEP have outlined several voluntary actions, including shutting down automatic outdoor irrigation systems, reducing overall water usage, and attending to leaking plumbing fixtures. DEEP also suggests that residents follow any water-use recommendations issued by their local water suppliers.
The advisory is a reminder for New Canaan homeowners who depend on private wells, irrigation ponds, and localized water resources to closely monitor their water levels. Such sources, while more autonomous than the public water supply, are highly susceptible to fluctuating local conditions. This year’s advisory marks one of several Stage 2 declarations in recent years, underscoring a pattern of recurring drought events in the region.
“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,” noted Governor Lamont in a recent press release. “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.”
The Drought Preparedness and Response Plan is a collaborative framework, created by DEEP in partnership with the Connecticut Water Planning Council, to safeguard the state’s water resources. Each drought stage—from Stage 1 to the critical Stage 5—corresponds to specific conditions and appropriate responses. Stage 2 is primarily an “awareness stage,” designed to prompt conservation efforts while allowing time for additional monitoring and further action should conditions deteriorate. In contrast, higher stages, such as Stage 3 or Stage 4, could mandate restrictions on nonessential water use and initiate more coordinated emergency responses among state and local agencies.
Fire safety is another concern under the drought advisory, as dry vegetation can ignite and spread rapidly. DEEP has been working with local fire departments to assess and communicate the heightened fire risk. The agency urges New Canaan residents to exercise caution with outdoor activities, particularly open flames or equipment that can spark fires, and to remain aware of any fire-related advisories issued in the coming weeks.
DEEP and the governor’s office offer detailed information and updates on the drought conditions and recommended practices on their official websites, portal.ct.gov/governor/news and portal.ct.gov/deep, where residents can track ongoing advisories and find water-saving tips.
