Montpelier is asking city residents and businesses to be mindful of their taps and limit water usage as drought conditions take a toll on local water resources.
“Berlin Pond, which serves as our community’s primary source of drinking water, is feeling the effects of this extended dry period,” the city’s public works department said in a notice on Thursday afternoon.
That morning, water levels in the pond dropped just below the threshold to warrant conservation efforts, according to Kurt Motyka, director of Montpelier’s public works department.
“It’s been on our radar, certainly for the last few months. We’ve been watching it closely,” Motyka said.
The effects on the capital city are a result of drought conditions playing out across the state. On Thursday, Montpelier — along with about 76% of Vermont — was in a severe drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Just under 2% of the state, in a stretch along the New Hampshire border, is in an extreme drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The rest of the state — mostly in southern and northwestern parts — are in a moderate drought.
Officials are encouraging residents to save water in their homes by taking shorter showers, not watering their lawns, fixing leaky faucets and only running dishwashers or washing machines with full loads. The city is also urging businesses to check for leaks in their facilities, educate their employees and try to reduce water use when possible.
Burlington and Colchester issued similar notices in early August due to low water supply before they later lifted the alerts.
Motyka said water levels in Berlin Pond would have to dip another 6 inches lower to prompt mandatory water conservation. Because of the pond’s large size, he said he’s optimistic the city won’t need to take that measure.
So far, the pond’s lower water levels are visible to the plain eye and more dramatically obvious downstream, Matyka said.