Drought Warning Issued In New Jersey Counties

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) declared a drought warning for 14 state counties stemming from tumultuous rainfall deficits and minimal water supplies.

The warning was issued by DEP Commissioner Bob Martin, the day after a public hearing.

Among the 14 counties, the warning covers Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and others according to NJ.com. Though the warning did not come as a surprise, it is considered to be a “rare step” and gives the DEP more authority in order to make sure that water suppliers “distribute and transfer enough drinking water to each region of the state, particularly the areas with the lowest supplies.”

"The situation in our reservoir systems that serve some of the most densely populated regions of New Jersey is becoming more critical, with some systems dropping to half their capacity or less," Martin told NJ.com. "Without knowing how much precipitation we are going to get over the fall and winter to replenish our water sources, it is vital that every resident and business step up efforts to voluntarily reduce water use in the hopes of averting a water emergency and mandatory restrictions."

Under a drought warning, “the DEP cannot impose mandatory water restrictions.” Though the agency is strongly suggesting residents and businesses across the state to voluntarily conserve as much water as possible.

Sussex and Warren counties had been under a drought watch since the summer, according to The New Jersey Herald. Originally, both counties were not included in the DEP's proposal.

Larry Hajna, a DEP spokesperson, spoke with the Herald and said that Sussex and Warren were added to the list after the “monitoring of indicators that had not improved.”

The designation, according to News 12 New Jersey, allows the state to manage the reservoir systems more closely than before. “It also elevates the need for residents and businesses in those counties to reduce their water use.”

In order to help slow down on the amount of water being used, the DEP has suggested “turning sprinkler systems off automatic timers, using brooms to sweep sidewalks instead of hoses and to upgrade showerheads to low-flow versions.”

NJ.com reported that the last time a drought warning of this magnitude was issued was in Novermber of 2001, covering 13 counties. The warning had been expanded later on, to include seven additional counties in January of the following year. It was then followed by a drought emergency declared by then-Governor James McGreevey in March 2002.

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