Every drop counts—especially on an Island.
Between dry summers, rising demand, and increasingly unpredictable weather, protecting our freshwater supply has become one of Martha’s Vineyard’s most urgent climate priorities.
From 2023 to 2025, the Edgartown Water Department, Oak Bluffs Water District, and Tisbury Water Works participated in a federal Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP) with support from the Island Institute. The goal: to strengthen the Vineyard’s water systems against extreme weather and power outages, ensuring that our community can count on safe, reliable drinking water no matter what the forecast brings.
Why Water Conservation Matters
Our public water systems depend on electricity to pump and store water. In a prolonged power outage, those systems switch to backup generators and stored reserves—resources that are limited and can be quickly depleted during peak summer demand. Practicing water conservation year-round helps extend those supplies, building resilience when we need it most.
The ETIPP team identified simple actions that make a big difference:
- Fix leaks and install water-saving fixtures.
- Only run dishwashers and washing machines with full loads.
- Skip lawn watering and use native, drought-tolerant plants.
- Cover pools and use a broom instead of a hose to clean walkways.
- During emergencies, prioritize drinking water and minimize nonessential use.
These small, everyday changes add up to big gains in community resilience—especially during droughts or outages.
Connecting to The Vineyard Way Climate Action Plan
Water conservation is directly linked to the Vineyard Way Climate Action Plan, which highlights sustainable water management as a key part of the Island’s climate resilience strategy. Reducing demand on our aquifer, preparing for drought, and using energy-efficient water systems all support the Plan’s goals to:
- Protect natural resources and ecosystems.
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from energy-intensive infrastructure.
- Build community preparedness for climate-driven challenges like droughts and heatwaves.
By conserving water, we’re not just protecting a resource—we’re helping ensure that the Vineyard’s future stays vibrant, self-sufficient, and ready for the changes ahead.
💧 Learn more: Check out the ETIPP Water Conservation brochure and the Vineyard Way Climate Action Plan to see how every action, big or small, helps strengthen our Island’s resilience.
