Governor McKee Issues Statewide Drought Advisory

PROVIDENCE, RI - Governor Dan McKee issued a statewide drought advisory today, as recommended by the state’s Drought Steering Committee comprised of key stakeholders on the federal, state, and local levels. A statewide drought advisory is recommended after analyzing several scientific drought indices and is one of four progressive drought declarations: 1) advisory, 2) watch, 3) warning, and 4) emergency.

“The projected rainfall amounts of 0.5 to 1 inches of new precipitation for RI tonight into tomorrow, though helpful, will not be enough to make up for the severe precipitation deficits from October”, said meteorologist Robert Megnia, Senior Service Hydrologist, NOAA National Weather Service, Weather Forecast Office Boston/Norton, MA.

The Drought Steering Committee determined that three indices – precipitation, groundwater, and stream flow levels – met the drought advisory criteria in northern Rhode Island. Dry conditions in the northwest drought region, declining stream flows and groundwater levels in the remaining drought regions across the state, and the probability that dry conditions would return in early December informed the committee’s recommendation. 

“While our water supply is designed to withstand drought, Rhode Islanders should be aware of the current conditions,” said Governor Dan McKee. “As a precaution, I encourage residents and businesses to consider taking water conservation measures to help sustain our water resources.”

Residents and businesses can voluntarily conserve water by:

- Fixing any leaky faucets and pipes. 

- Selecting appropriate washing machine and dishwasher load sizes to conserve water. 

- Heeding fire danger warnings.  

- For more ways to save water see EPA’s 100+ Water-Saving Tips.

While conservation measures are not required statewide in Rhode Island, individual municipalities may have water restrictions in place. Residents are advised to check with their water supplier for further guidance. 

Given the drought advisory, Governor McKee has also asked Rhode Island’s Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to continue to ensure that all piping systems remain leak-free. 

The Drought Steering Committee will reconvene in early January 2025 to re-evaluate Rhode Island’s water conditions. Consistent with the State’s Drought Plan, “Water 2030,” a Drought Advisory level continues until sufficient precipitation (three consecutive months of normal/near normal precipitation) and groundwater recovery (two months of normal groundwater levels) warrant lifting the advisory and declaring a return to normal status.

A list of major water suppliers to Rhode Island can be found on the Water Resources Board website at http://www.wrb.ri.gov/data_watersuppliers.html.