Despite this summer’s continuing drought conditions, an outdoor watering ban most likely can be avoided this year, according to Ryan Lynch, South Berwick Water District superintendent.
The district’s new Blackmore well, which came online earlier this year, has supplemented the town’s water supply by more than 1 million gallons of drinking water per month, Lynch wrote Friday in an email to the Reporter.
“Unfortunately, all water sources remain vulnerable to the impacts of climate change,” Lynch added in the email. “These challenges include more frequent and prolonged droughts, increased flooding events, and reduced groundwater recharge caused by extreme precipitation patterns that generate greater runoff and less infiltration into the ground.”
The Blackmore well has not only increased capacity but also has increased operational flexibility, Lynch said. It allows the district to rotate pumping among more well sites based on existing groundwater conditions, which helps reduce stress on individual wells and aquifers.
“The ability to distribute withdrawals more strategically supports improved recharge and recovery of heavily utilized sources, enhances system reliability, and better positions the district to respond to changing conditions,” Lynch explained.
South Berwick is classified by the National Weather Service as being in a moderate drought and has been in drought since August 2025. Despite recent heavy rainfall, the area remains approximately 2 to 2.5 inches below normal precipitation levels, Lynch said, and groundwater levels continue to lag behind seasonal averages.
However, Lynch speculated that more rain and reduced demand in the coming months will help finally restore normal conditions.
Due to the ongoing drought conditions, the district is encouraging continued voluntary conservation by water district users to extend available supplies and avoid the need for more restrictive measures in the future.
The district will address these climate change challenges by actively pursuing the following strategies designed to to improve reliability, resilience and customer confidence, according to Lynch:
- Increase, expand, rehabilitate and diversify water sources to reduce vulnerability and improve supply
- Reduce water loss from leaks by improving infrastructure and installing smart meters that can detect customer-side leaks and help identify leaks in the distribution system
- Better educate customers so they understand droughts and conserve water as a permanent component of managing supply
- Enhance protection of water sources, watersheds and critical infrastructure to safeguard long-term supply
- Build financial resilience to support ongoing investments in the system and preparedness
In conclusion, Lynch wrote: “As climate conditions continue to evolve, the district remains committed to ensuring a reliable water supply for the community.
“We hope customers and residents will continue to support water-use efficiency and conservation efforts, helping South Berwick adapt to this new reality while protecting our shared water resources for the future.”
