With the leaves recently past their peak color, we are all reminded that winter isn’t far behind. Each year, we depend on spring, summer and fall rains to recharge the groundwater resources on which so many Mainers depend. Early this spring, many of us were worried about flooding because we came into early spring with a substantial snow pack. But, interestingly, the snow melted slowly and the ground thawed about the same time, leaving a condition where most of the snowmelt went into the ground rewetting the soil and recharging groundwater. This moisture was essential to help farmers get their crops off to a good start. Later in the spring and throughout the summer, we had very little rainfall. Some areas received more rain than others, but all crop producers suffered to some extent. As of mid-November, the Bangor area is more than 13 inches below normal for the year.

Many surface water wells have gone dry, while others that have a long history of supplying water even in the driest of years are becoming dangerously close to running dry. As we look ahead, we have about eight weeks before the ground likely freezes up. After that we can look forward to an additional four months with little or

no opportunity for ground water recharge.

What does this mean to you and me? If you rely on surface water wells, you need to check the depth and monitor your water usage very closely. You may think that the rains we have gotten so far this fall may have replenished your well. I seriously doubt that. If you have a drilled well, you might think that the drought probably won’t affect you. Maybe you’re thinking it’ s not a problem? Well, I would be as careful about water usage as your neighbor with the surface water well. Often times, the water that supplies your well comes from a couple of fractures in the bedrock. If the regional water level drops below that point, you too may run out of water. All of our collective actions affect the local and regional water levels. Even those of us on public water supplies may have an influence on this.

Regardless of where we get our water, we need to think about how much water we use, and begin to implement practices to reduce our water usage. Over the next 20 years, I expect water to become as important a resource as oil is today. Implementing water conservation practices today will not only help us get through this drought that we are experiencing this year, it will also help us later if or when people start coming to our state wanting a piece of our water resource.

I never dreamed that people would pay a dollar a liter for water, but many people do. Probably the best thing about that is that people are starting to place value on potable water supplies. It is time to begin to consider water for the real resource that it is. The average person uses 75 gallons of water a day. As you begin to think about ways to conserve water, consider the changes you might implement in your home if your water costs increased significantly. I bet you would install water-saving plumbing fixtures in your home. You might turn off the water when you brush your teeth. You likely fix every dripping faucet in your home. Perhaps you might wash only with full loads in your clothes and dish washing machines.

One can do many little things to save water. In making these kinds of changes, you might be able to get through this dry period without having to drill a new well. You may also find that by implementing these water-saving tips, you may save money in ways you don’t consider. For instance, the best way to increase the life of a septic system is to use as little water as possible. By reducing wate usage, you may increase the productive life of a septic tank. Every time your submersible pump kicks on, your electric bill goes up. Using less water will reduce your electric bill.

We may end up having a wet autumn, and the pressing concern for water conservation may ease somewhat. But the long-term forecast is not good. If you are on a well, find out how much water you have. Start rethinking how you use water today. If you are on public water, it still makes sense to save water. We need to get used to appreciating water for the important resource that it is. We may be a water rich state, but the water we save today may get us through our current drought and set us up to be a power broker in the world of water resources in the future.

John M. Jemison Jr. is a water

quality and soil specialist with

the University of Maine Cooperative Extension.