New Jersey Declares Drought Watch, Asks Residents to Conserve Water

By Hamodia Staff

(New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection)

New Jersey residents are being urged to conserve water, as the state declared a drought watch Tuesday.

A drought watch is the first of three levels of drought advisory, which can be followed by a drought warning, and an emergency. The “watch” is meant to spread awareness in times when the water supply is running lower than it should be. If conditions do not improve, the next levels of advisories can include mandatory water-conservation rules.  

“Stream flow and ground water levels are falling below normal for most of the state and some reservoirs are showing steep rates of decline as hot and dry conditions continue,” New Jersey Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette said in a statement. “While water conservation is always important, it becomes critical during prolonged dry and hot periods like New Jersey has been experiencing. If residents and businesses do all they can to reduce water demand, together we can ensure ample supplies in the coming weeks and months.”

At this time of year, more than 30 percent of water demand in suburban areas is for outdoor purposes, much of which can be reduced or avoided, the state says, such as by limiting lawn-watering, vehicle-washing, and driveway- and sidewalk-hosing.

The last drought watch or warning to be declared in New Jersey was in 2016. The last drought emergency with mandatory water use restrictions in the state was in 2002.

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