The drought isn’t over but conditions are improving.
Quinte Conservation and the Low Water Response Team have reduced the region’s low water condition to Level 2.
The region has been under a Level 3 condition, the most serious, since September.
Quinte Conservation says that over the last several weeks the watershed’s low water conditions have stabilized with a return of more seasonal rainfall amounts.
The last week of October saw significant precipitation which helped to offset drier conditions experienced during September and the first half of October.
The monthly rainfall totals for October ended at normal or near-normal levels for each of the local watersheds.
Anticipated rain over the rest of November will help improve drought conditions further.
Improving groundwater levels and streamflow conditions have been observed and while stream flows are improving, they remain well below normal for this time of year.
Quinte Conservation continues to receive reports of isolated dry or depleted wells, but many have started to recover.
Water hauling companies are still operating but the demand has peaked.
Low water indicators of rainfall and stream flows are measured on a three-month basis for determining level status and changes.
The change to a less severe low water Level 2 status is based on field observations, however, it may require several months to return to normal conditions with no observed effects.
A Level 2 Low Water Condition indicates a potentially serious water supply problem.
Quinte Conservation is still requesting a 20% reduction in water use.
The current Level 2 Low Water Condition will be in effect until (or updated before) December 18, 2025.