ATTENTION: Garden State Under Drought Warning; Public Urged to Reduce Water Use

RARITAN TWP., N.J. (Hunterdon County) — On Dec. 5, Governor Philip D. Murphy issued a statewide Drought Warning strongly urging residents and businesses to reduce water use because of persistent below-average precipitation and severely deteriorating water supplies.

“The Department of Environmental Protection is closely monitoring drought indicators and water supplies to ensure we have enough water across the state,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “While there are currently no mandatory restrictions in place, it is up to each of us to take precautions now and do our part by conserving water use in and around our homes and businesses.”

In consideration and preparation for Drought Warning status, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (“NJDEP”) has been consulting with water suppliers to assess conditions, ensure that they are fully aware of the situation, and that they are able to work cooperatively with the State’s environmental regulatory institution. The goal of a Drought Warning is to preserve and balance available water supplies to avert more serious water shortages in the future. 

Image Credit: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

“The precipitation and water supply uncertainty we’ve experienced over the past year is a symptom of the impacts of climate change here in New Jersey,” said Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette. “We ask residents, businesses, and partners in local government to join us in spreading the urgency of the need to conserve water.”

Commissioner LaTourette today signed an Administrative Order authorizing the Drought Warning designation, an elevated drought status following the Oct. 1 "Drought Watch" advisory. The issuance of a Drought Warning by State regulators is to convey the water supply is notably depleting at a concerning rate and recommends the public to practice voluntary water conservation measures.

The Administrative Order designating Drought Warning status comes a day after the NJDEP held a virtual public hearing to update water suppliers and the public on water supply conditions, receive their input, and assess all available water supply management options. The Order also establishes a formal process for the State to work with water suppliers in affected regions to ensure no single water supplier or region faces a significant shortfall if dry weather and high customer demand continue.

If conditions do not improve, the Governor’s Office could declare Drought Emergency, where mandatory water use restrictions would become necessary and allow the NJDEP to more closely manage water systems by directing water transfers among systems, controlling releases from reservoirs, and modifying the permitted rate of flow in streams and rivers downstream of reservoirs to balance ecological protection and needs of water suppliers.

Image Credit: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

NJDEP also has resources available to help Garden State residents practice common-sense conservation measures to reduce over usage:

• The NJDEP’s Conserve Water Toolkit provides infographics, a flier, video, and social media resources that can be downloaded and used by organizations and government agencies to disseminate information about drought conditions and water conservation.
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) resource to assist private well owners;
• Water Conservation Tips;
• Resource page about the status of New Jersey’s water supplies;
• A list of Drought-related FAQs; and
• For further information on water restrictions and conservation, visit nj.gov/drought/current-conditions/

For more information about the Drought Warning and additional conservation tips, visit the NJDEP’s official press release.

About the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection:

Founded on America’s first official Earth Day, April 22, 1970, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (“NJDEP”) is a state agency responsible for managing the Garden State’s natural resources, addressing issues related to pollution, and safeguarding the state’s environment and public health. Committed to sustainable economic growth, NJDEP invests in communities and infrastructure, provides quality open and recreational spaces for residents and visitors, enforces environmental laws, and furthers the promise of environmental justice. To learn more, visit the NJDEP homepage.

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