WATER WELL ALERT

Don’t be fooled by the recent rains and runoff from melting snow. They may raise the levels of lakes and streams, but they do little or nothing to replenish the ground water that supplies the wells that serve 58 percent of all Mainers. The percentage is even higher here in eastern Maine.

A current record drought plagues most of the East Coast. Maine is the hardest hit of all. The state is the driest it has been in 107 years. Ground water is at record lows. Except in a narrow band along the coast, the ground is still frozen. That’s why water from rain and melting snow just runs off instead of seeping down into the aquifers that supply the wells.

Dana Murch, the Department of Environmental Protection’s representative on the Task Force on Drought, has some tips for well owners: Fix any leaks, since a steady drip can be disastrous. Space out your use of water. Instead of doing five loads of wash in a row, wait a while and give the well time to fill. Try not to let the well go dry at all, since a submersible pump may keep working and burn out or may get clogged with silt or sediment. Don’t flush the toilet too often. If you don’t have one of the modern water-saving toilets, you might put a brick or two in the tank to reduce the water volume. And the drought will probably continue even when spring comes, so take it easy washing the car or watering the lawn.

The Maine Emergency Management Agency has additional tips: Remember that one drop a second from a leaky faucet wastes 2,700 gallons of water in a year. Instead of pouring waste water down the drain, use it to water indoor plants or the garden. Replace the shower head with an ultra-low-flow type. And, when showering, turn on the water to wet yourself, turn it off to lather up, then turn the water back on to rinse. Store drinking water in the refrigerator instead of letting it run to cool. And when you want hot water, save the cold water before it gets warm and use it to water plants.

On one point, authorities differ. MEMA says don’t put a brick in the toilet tank, because it can dissolve and loose pieces can damage the flushing mechanism. Mr. Murch sees the point and says to forget the bricks, Just fill an old plastic milk bottle with water, tighten the cap, and use it instead.