Maine Drought-WaterWise Newsletter
How severe is the current drought?
Unfortunately, dry periods are becoming more frequent in Maine, with some parts of the state experiencing unusually dry or drought conditions almost annually.
Arrowsic, Georgetown and much of Maine are currently experiencing a Flash Drought, which typically happens during the warm seasons. As shown on the drought map below, about half of the state is classified as having severe drought conditions – including all of Sagadahoc County.
Click HERE to read more…
Water Tests Delayed in Arrowsic & Georgetown
It is with disappointment that the WaterWise Team shares the news that the water sampling effort we planned for this summer has been postponed until next summer. Although everyone did all they could, the blame ultimately lies with continued delay in funding (not yet received) which was out of our hands. We will be in touch with each participant soon with more information soon.
Once the funding is received later this month, we still have a lot we can accomplish including:
- Conducting well sampling and field water quality screening of wells in targeted areas in Arrowsic and Georgetown. This field screening of water quality will provide valuable information that can be used to optimize the more costly laboratory sampling program.
- Testing and evaluation of the town wells including determining options and costs for solutions if needed (so we can start raising money to fix it).
- Hosting educational programs with experts on groundwater issues and water conservation including a program by Jesica Meeks, hydrogeologist with Maine Geological Survey.
- Identifying potential wells for continuous monitoring with data loggers to be included in the Maine Geological Survey Monitoring network
- Recruiting more participants (click here for the well survey to join in)
We deeply appreciate all the landowners who completed the well survey (almost 100 in Arrowsic and 180 in Georgetown!) and look forward to working with you next spring to schedule your water test. We thank you for your understanding and patience as we strive to make Arrowsic and Georgetown more resilient!
If you have any questions, feel free to contact either:
Jody Jones ~ Arrowsic Resilience Committee chair (jodyinarrowsic@gmail.com) or
Jessica Weller ~ Georgetown Conservation Commission chair (jessica@troopweller.com)
What is WaterWise?
Arrowsic and Georgetown received a joint Community Resilience Partnership grant to examine drinking water quality and quantity over the next two years.
Project Goals
- To collect baseline data on groundwater resources.
- To identify where quality/availability is a concern.
- To assess the vulnerability of the aquifer to impacts of climate change.
- To partner with the Maine Geological Survey
to establish a long-term monitoring program. - To identify strategies to protect our groundwater supplies.
Why is this study important?
- Understanding and protecting the town’s groundwater resources is becoming increasingly important as the towns continue to develop and as the impacts of climate change progress.
- Using this updated information, the study will evaluate potential climate-related impacts, such as drought and sea-level rise, on groundwater quality and availability.
- The outcome of the project is intended to help both towns understand, plan for, and sustainably manage their groundwater resources now and in the future.
What can WaterWise do for you?
- FREE water testing will be available to all homeowners who fill out the survey by July 26th. The more people who participate, the better the data for this study.
- Surveys can be completed online (click here) and in paper format. If you would like a paper version of the survey, please email us at conserve04548@gmail.com. Please only fill out one survey per well that you own.
- Water Testing will begin in mid-July.
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