Drought and Water Conservation
The last few weeks have brought much needed rain to New Hampshire, however, at the beginning of November a significant portion of New Hampshire is in either severe or extreme drought. According to the US Drought Monitor Map, drought conditions are expected to worsen over the winter and spring. Drought conditions cause crop loss, dry wells, water restrictions and ncrease chance of wildfires. All of these have negative impacts on our health and livelihoods.
NH Department of Environmental Services coordinates drought preparedness and response. Their drought webpage has guidance on numerous topics about the drought to help NH residents. This includes how to report a dry well, the signs a well is getting low, water conservation tips as well as drought monitor and outlook maps. Above is a recent drought monitor map for New Hampshire.
Water conservation is always important, but during drought conditions it is critical. A new tool to help Hanover residents on the town’s water supply track their water consumption is EyeOn Water.
The EyeOn Water is a free app (available in both iOS and android as well as a web portal) that gives water account holders access to their water consumption data in an easy-to-understand format. EyeOn Water allows users to compare their usage across various time frames, will detect leaks and notify the user. In this video, the EyeOn Water’s manufacturer, Badger Meter, gives a detailed tour of the app’s dashboard and provides guidance on the app’s many features. Sign up for the EyeOn Water tool free at https://eyeonwater.com/signup. You will need your account number, which begins with a “U” (or a “9” if you are a sewer-only customer) as well as service address zip code. Your account number can be found on your most recent water/sewer bill.
The EyeOn Water app only works with the ultrasonic water meters that the Town has been replacing in residences on town water. The town began the water replacement program in 2023. As of October 2025 approximately 67% of the town’s meters have been replaced with these ultrasonic meters that have cellular antennae which enable both the town and account holders to read their meters in real time. If your residence does not yet have an upgraded meter, you can schedule an appointment to have it installed here.
Everyone has a part to play in water use efficiency and conservation. Individuals, households and businesses can significantly improve water resiliency.