(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont announced today that he is declaring a Stage 2 drought advisory for Fairfield County, Middlesex County, and New Haven County due to significantly low streamflow in water bodies across the region, decreased precipitation, and increased wildfire danger across the state. Prior to today’s announcement, there was no drought declaration statewide.
A Stage 2 drought advisory is an awareness stage, identifying an emerging drought event that could potentially impact water supplies, agriculture, and natural ecosystems. It is the second of five levels under the Connecticut Drought Preparedness and Response Plan, with Stage 1 being the lowest level and Stage 5 the most extreme.
“Warmer conditions and the lack of a significant amount of rain over these last few months have impacted all of Connecticut, particularly the regions around Fairfield, Middlesex, and New Haven counties,” Governor Lamont said. “The purpose of increasing these counties to Stage 2 is to raise awareness that if drier conditions persist, there is a possibility that this emerging drought event will intensify. While rain is in the forecast over the coming days, it is not predicted to be the long soaking rain we need to overcome current drought conditions.”
The decision to declare a Stage 2 drought advisory comes to the governor at the recommendation of the Connecticut Interagency Drought Workgroup, a state entity consisting of representatives from several state agencies that meets regularly to monitor and address drought conditions, and make recommendations to the governor on the state’s response to drought events. The group met on June 10, 2026, and made a recommendation to increase these counties to Stage 2 based on an assessment of indicator data including precipitation, surface waters, groundwater, drinking water reservoirs, and fire conditions.
“We are experiencing drier than normal conditions entering the summer season, which may increase in severity as we enter the warmer months,” Interagency Drought Workgroup Chairman and Office of Policy and Management Undersecretary Martin Heft said. “Across Connecticut, we have been witnessing the spread of increased drought conditions, and we must begin early steps now to mitigate potential harm, should the drought be prolonged.”
During this Stage 2 drought advisory, individuals and businesses are encouraged to take voluntary measures to aid in minimizing future drought impacts. These measures may include:
- Reducing outdoor irrigation during the daylight hours
- Minimizing overall water use by fixing leaky plumbing and fixtures
- Running dishwashers and washing machines only when full
During this time, individuals and businesses should also look out for and follow any conservation requests issued by their local water suppliers and municipalities.
Rainfall and droughts do not follow state, county, and municipal boundaries and impacts may be more severe at certain locations. Those who depend on private wells, fire or irrigation ponds, and other highly localized water resources should be especially mindful of local conditions, especially in places where previous droughts have affected supplies. Those who depend on private wells should contact their local public health department if supplies are low or conditions worsen.
The most recent time any drought advisories were issued in Connecticut was on October 7, 2025, when Fairfield, Middlesex, and New Haven counties reached Stage 2.
The five levels of drought advisories under the State Drought Plan are:
- Stage 1: Below Normal Conditions
- Stage 2: Incipient Drought
- Stage 3: Moderate Drought
- Stage 4: Severe Drought
- Stage 5: Extreme Drought
The Connecticut Interagency Drought Workgroup consists of representatives from the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the Department of Public Health, the Office of Policy and Management, and the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority. The workgroup also receives assistance from partners at the National Weather Service and the United States Geological Survey.
More Information on current drought conditions, the Interagency Drought Workgroup, and the State Drought Plan can be found online at portal.ct.gov/Water/Drought/Drought-Home.