New Jersey’s Drought Warning: What You Need to Know
In addition to above-average temperatures and several wildfires over the past few weeks, New Jersey is now dealing with a statewide drought. On November 13th, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) declared a statewide drought warning. Read on for what we know about the drought warning in New Jersey and tips for residents to conserve the water supply.
What to Know
Following a series of wildfires that have burned across New Jersey, NJDEP Department Commissioner Shawn M. Latourette signed an Administrative Order on November 13th, 2024, authorizing a Drought Warning designation for the state of New Jersey.
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This follows a hearing on November 12th, when the NJDEP met with water suppliers and New Jersey residents to discuss the current water supply conditions and develop management options.
New Jersey is currently experiencing a meteorological drought caused by periods of low precipitation and high heat. According to a statement released by NJDEP Commissioner Latourette and Governor Phil Murphy, climate change is the cause of this meteorological drought and a number of environment-related issues.
“Climate change is driving our record low precipitation and above-average temperature recorded statewide in September and October,” Commissioner LaTourette said in a statement. “This combination of events has resulted in decreased streamflow and groundwater levels, which harms our available water supplies.”
The Drought Warning is the next step in formally preserving the state’s available water supply and reducing the chances of more severe water shortages. This allows the Department of Environmental Protection to direct water transfers across the state, control releases from reservoirs, and modify the flow rate in streams and rivers.
In addition to the Administrative Order, the Department of Environmental Protection is actively cooperating with water suppliers to evaluate the current conditions and ensure they are thoroughly informed about the situation.
Water Conservation Tips
Governor Murphy and the NJDEP encourage New Jersey residents to take preemptive measures to conserve the water supply. Residents should:
- Allow lawns to go dormant for the season.
- Shut off irrigation systems as soon as possible.
- Use only a watering can to water plants or allow them to go dormant for the season.
- Instead of a hose, use a broom to sweep the sidewalk.
- Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.
- Fix leaky faucets and pipes and replace toilets with low-flow versions, which can save around 11,000 gallons annually.
- Upgrade showerhead to low-flow versions. This can save 7,700 gallons of water per year.
- Upgrade faucets or install faucet aerators, which saves approximately 16,000 gallons of water per year.
“It can be challenging to adjust our daily habits, but it is imperative that we all work together, heed the guidance to conserve water, and use the utmost caution outdoors to reduce the risk of wildfire as dry conditions continue statewide,” Governor Murphy said in the release.
Visit the NJDEP website to stay informed on further news and alerts regarding the drought warning in New Jersey.
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