Rhode Island news | projo.com | The Providence Journal

« Sentencing today in crack cocaine case | Today | Photo: Checking out a river listing »

September 6, 2007

State officials urge voluntary water-use reductions

State officials are urging the public to voluntarily restrict water use, saying that water levels have fallen dramatically in rivers and streams due to absence of "significant rainfall" last month.

In particular, the Blackstone, Pawtuxet, Pawcatuck, and Hunt rivers are experiencing low flows. Levels are expected to drop more because forecasts do not predict rain in the state until Tuesday or Wednesday, the state Department of Environmental Management has announced.

People should not carry out non-essential uses of water, such as watering lawns and gardens and filling swimming pools until further notice, the DEM and the Rhode Island Water Resources Board urge in the news release. Commercial users of water are urged to curtail water use "to the extent possible."

For water conservation tips, go to http://www.wrb.ri.gov/education.htm.

Current water use restrictions for major public water suppliers are at http:www.wrb.ri.gov/waterrestrictions.htm.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

As water levels continue to drop, it raises potential for fish kills because of potential for portions of stream beds to dry.

August saw 1.09 inches of rainfall -- almost three inches below average rainfall for the month -- and was the second driest August in 113 years that data has been collected, according to the Northeast Regional Climate Center.

There is also potential in current conditions for frequent brush fires in the state's forests and risks to woodland homes in areas where stream flows are low, the DEM Division of Forest Environment says. It's driest between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Officials said charcoal cooking fires must be cold before they are discarded. Smokers should use ashtrays. Dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles should be in good shape with mufflers to minimize sparks.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 10:01 AM | Permalink

September 6, 2007

State officials urge voluntary water-use reductions

Comments

Post a comment