Drought conditions in Maine have been getting better, though they may linger into the new year.
 
Rain and snow during the past couple of months have led to some improvement after an arid summer, according to the state’s Drought Task Force.
 
Yet much of the state remains “in some form of drought or abnormally dry,” Maine Emergency Management Agency Director Bruce Fitzgerald said in a prepared statement Friday.
 
“Now what we need is snow, and we need it to get into the ground,” he said.
 
Tom Hawley of the National Weather Service in Gray said conditions have improved recently and may continue to get better.
 
Hawley said weather experts anticipate colder temperatures and higher-than-normal precipitation levels during the next 10 days.
 
The task force pointed out, however, that once the ground is frozen, rain and melting snow won’t help recharge low groundwater levels.
 
Surface water, such as rivers and lakes is normal, said Nicholas Stasulis, the data section chief for the U.S. Geological Survey.
 
Groundwater levels, however, “were very low into November,” but beginning to recover, he said.
 
Since October, 426 dry well reports have been recorded through the state’s 2-1-1 system, according to the task force.
 
It said that Poland Springs, Good Shepherd Food Bank and the Red Cross “are teaming up to help those who have reported dry wells.”
 
Poland Springs donated bottled water while Good Shepherd will distribute the water, it said. The Red Cross is telling homeowners about the possible aid.

Maine State Housing has received a second allocation of $250,000 to assist low-income homeowners with dry wells. Interested homeowners should contact their local Community Action Program.

Farmers should be thinking ahead to next season and are encouraged to contact the USDA Farm Service Agency regarding the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program and assistance for livestock.

State officials said residents should avoid filling wells with water hauled from somewhere else because of the dangers of contamination, corrosion or lead problems.


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