Delaware Declares Drought Watch as Precipitation Levels Drop

Delaware is under a statewide drought watch for the second time in three years due to a steep decline in precipitation levels. Officials are most worried about Kent and Sussex Counties.

Governor Matt Meyer declared the drought watch after receiving guidance from the Delaware Water Supply Coordinating Council (WSCC). The WSCC found that the state would need to receive 21 inches of rainfall over the next three summer months to replenish the state’s Delaware’s water supply back to normal levels.

The drought watch is in effect until further notice. During this time, Delawareans are asked to voluntarily reduce outdoor and indoor uses of water.

In addition to voluntarily water conservation measures, Delawareans are required by law through Sept. 30 to heed the state’s open burning ban, which prohibits activities such as bonfires, agricultural burning, fires for land clearing, and fires for demolition and removal of hazards.

“A drought watch calls for voluntary actions to reduce personal use of our water resources. Given how sharply water supply levels have dropped in many parts of the state over the last eight to 10 months, we urge Delawareans to take it very seriously,” said Greg Patterson, secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.

“Whatever Delawareans can do to personally help alleviate the current strain on our water supply is appreciated. We hope that starting voluntary conservation efforts now – along with some favorable weather – can help prevent more serious drought measures later this summer and fall.”

The WSCC representatives monitor a range of indicators, including precipitation, stream flow, reservoir storage, groundwater levels and soil moisture. These indicators are evaluated over three to 12 months to assess long-term trends.

A drought watch calls for voluntary water conservation. The next stage, if conditions worsen and water shortages become more likely, would be a drought warning, prompting more significant voluntary reductions in water use. Further worsening conditions would lead to a drought emergency with mandatory water use restrictions.