Drought conditions put pressure on Maine homeowners and wells

By Nicole Foster, REALTOR®

Notably low levels of precipitation beginning in January, combined with Maine’s sixth driest summer on record, have led to prolonged drought conditions across the state. Some regions are now experiencing the most severe dryness in the entire Northeast. According to the National Weather Service, Maine would need roughly 150 percent of its normal rainfall – an additional six to 12 inches -- over the next several weeks to end the drought before the ground freezes. Once the soil is frozen, precipitation can no longer be absorbed to replenish groundwater reserves, meaning that underground aquifers and private wells will not begin to recover until spring.

For many Mainers, the effects of this dry spell are not just visible in the foliage but felt directly at home. More than half of the state’s households rely on private wells for their water supply and when rainfall is scarce, the water table drops in the underground aquifers -- and with it, the availability of water to private wells.

According to the Maine Drought Task Force, a division of the Maine Emergency Management Agency, more than 500 homeowners have reported their wells running dry this year, including 66 in Cumberland County. Those numbers may continue to rise if conditions persist through fall and into winter, as the long-range forecasts suggest.

For homeowners, now is the time to take proactive steps to protect your well by conserving what you currently have, and to make sure your property is prepared for what could be an extended drought cycle.

Start by checking your home’s plumbing to look for any leaks. Even small leaks that seem insignificant can waste dozens of gallons of water each day—thousands over the course of a year. During a drought, that loss can be impactful. Faucets and pipes, toilets and garden hoses are common areas for leaks to develop and sometimes the fix may be as easy as a new washer being installed.

Next, evaluate how efficiently your household uses water. Installing faucet aerators and low-flow shower heads equipped with flow restrictors is an easy and inexpensive way to reduce water consumption. When it’s time to replace fixtures or appliances, look for models carrying the WaterSense or Energy Star label, which identify products that meet higher efficiency standards. Modern low-flow toilets use less than half the water of older designs, conserving water with every flush.

Outdoor water management also plays a key role. Adjust irrigation schedules to early morning or late evening to minimize evaporation and consider using soaker hoses or drip irrigation systems that deliver water directly to plant roots. Mulching garden beds helps the soil retain moisture and protects roots from temperature swings. Collecting rainwater in barrels or cisterns can supplement outdoor watering needs when rainfall is available.

When purchasing an already existing home be sure to review any history of quantity issues the homeowner has disclosed and when purchasing a newly constructed home make sure that the well driller is licensed and in good standing with the Maine Well Drillers Commission.

Understand where your well is located and ideally know how deep it is, how many gallons per minute it yields and how long it takes to recover from use. Take note of any changes in water pressure, air sputtering from faucets, or cloudy water -- these may be early signs that your water table is dropping. Homeowners can monitor well levels themselves or hire a professional to conduct a depth test. In some cases, deepening an existing well or installing a storage tank may be a practical long-term solution depending on your needs.

A well is said to have run dry when the water level inside the well drops below the level of the well pump intake. This does not necessarily mean that the aquifer which supplies water to your well has gone dry. Some of the signs that a well may be starting to run dry include: a decrease in the water pressure, your water supply taking longer to recover after use, a noticeable change in appearance or smell, your well pump seems to be running constantly or your faucets begin to sputter with air. Should your well run dry, contact 2-1-1.

While we can’t control the weather, we can control how we respond to it. Maine homeowners have always been known for their resilience and self-reliance. By inspecting your plumbing, updating fixtures, and practicing smart water habits, you can protect your household’s water supply, reduce waste, and help preserve one of our state’s most valuable natural resources --clean, reliable groundwater.

Nicole Foster is a real estate broker with over 20 years of experience and a Windham parent who loves real estate and people. <