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Date: 8/18/2022
AGAWAM – The South End Bridge connecting Springfield to Agawam has marks painted on its west pillar, up to 17 feet. This summer’s drought has reduced the flow of the river so much that every measure line is above water. Just upstream, a hydrological meter maintained by the National Weather Service measured the river’s depth at 0.6 feet on Aug. 10.
Evidence that the river’s flow is reduced is abundant. The shores are full of smooth round rocks, usually submerged. And, lacking the mass of fathoms, the water is warmer than normal, providing little respite to those would-be swimmers either brave or ignorant enough to ignore the increased bacteria count which comes with warmer water.
Western Massachusetts is in a drought.
This has been a dry summer. Every part of the state is experiencing a drought, and as of last week, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs classifies most regions – Agawam and West Springfield included – as experiencing “Level 3 Critical Drought” conditions, with the Berkshires (“mild”) and Cape Cod (“significant”) being the exceptions.
In response to the current drought, some but not all communities have instituted water use restrictions. West Springfield has restrictions on “non-essential” outdoor water use, though Agawam has none. The reason for the difference is both environmental and regulatory in nature.
West Springfield draws its drinking water from four groundwater wells in Southwick. That town, which also uses wells in the same area, also has use restrictions in place. West Springfield has to comply with regulations on “permitted” suppliers under the state Water Management Act.
Agawam, on the other hand, gets its drinking water from the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission, which has existed as a “registered” water supplier using its own surface resources.
“Registered suppliers maintain their own autonomy over water withdrawals and drought restrictions, except in the case of extreme emergencies. Other suppliers or municipalities may follow different guidance as permittees under the Water Management Act,” said commission Communications Manager Jaimye Bartak.
While these regulations provide the framework for appropriate municipal response to the ongoing drought, the issue is not purely red tape. The reality is that West Springfield’s wells are running low.
“This drought basically started in November,” said Jeff Auer, West Springfield’s deputy director of public works.
Use restrictions in West Springfield are currently minimal. Residents are instructed to limit outdoor watering to hand-held hoses or watering cans, to be used only after 5 p.m. or before 9 a.m., one day a week.
Agawam usually defers to the Springfield utility agency’s decisions on water restrictions. According to a statement issued by Springfield Water and Sewer, its “water supply is not currently experiencing drought conditions, with current reservoir levels considered within the ‘normal’ range.”
The commission expects there will be enough water in its 22 billion gallon Cobble Mountain Reservoir to continue to serve its customers without instituting use restrictions.
“The commission maintains its own drought management plan and monitors reservoir levels and capacity daily to uphold its core mission to provide a safe, uninterrupted supply of drinking water to 250,000 customers in the Lower Pioneer Valley. Using reservoir data and the drought management plan, the commission will determine if or when any water use restrictions are needed due to drought conditions,” said Bartak.
“Each drinking water supply is unique and responds differently to precipitation patterns. Customers are always advised to use water wisely, but there are no current water use restrictions or advisories in place,” added Bartak.
She said the reservoirs remained within normal range during previous drought years of 2016 and 2020, as well.
The state Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs advises all businesses and residents in Level 3 drought zones to minimize their water use and stop all non-essential outdoor watering. It also says communities should “strongly discourage or prohibit installation of new sod, seeding, and/or landscaping; washing of hard surfaces (sidewalks, patios, driveways, siding); personal vehicle or boat washing; [and] filling of swimming pools,” according to a press release.
“It’s always a good idea to conserve water, because it is a precious resource.
But we don’t currently have any restrictions in place,” said Agawam Department of Public Works Deputy Director John Decker. “We don’t anticipate any restrictions at this time.
“That’s not saying it’s not gonna happen,” he added.
He said Agawam residents are incentivized to conserve water through a tiered billing system, with higher rates for water use in excess of 2,000 cubic feet per quarter.
Andrew Fisk, executive director of the nonprofit Connecticut River Conservancy, emphasizes there is a difference between climate and weather, but also that the current drought is related to climate change.
“You have both short-term weather patterns, and then longer-term climate,” said Fisk. “And so in the short term, in terms of weather, it’s been dry. We haven’t had rain. We haven’t had sufficient regular rain. And the type of rain we’ve had has not necessarily provided for groundwater recharge,” said Fisk.
“The climate has changed in New England and yes, we have drier summers. And that trend will continue over time,” said Fisk.