New Jersey Statewide Drought Watch Now in Effect

On October 17, 2024 the Murphy Administration updated our water supply status and urged NJ Residents and Businesses to Conserve Water to Avoid Worsening Water Supply Conditions

The statewide drought watch, the first since 2022, was issued to urge residents and businesses to conserve water as persistent dry conditions and unseasonably warm weather continue to stress water supplies throughout the state. 

During the past three months, New Jersey has experienced significantly below-average rainfall, which has contributed to diminished streamflow, reservoir, and groundwater levels.

The declaration of a Drought Watch is intended to increase public awareness and appreciation of the stress water supply sources are facing and encourages the public to practice voluntary water conservation measures. If conditions do not improve, declaration of a Drought Warning or a Drought Emergency with mandatory water use restrictions may become necessary.

“While water conservation is always important, it becomes critical during prolonged dry periods such as New Jersey has been experiencing for much of the summer and into early fall,” Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette said. “Voluntary water conservation now can help to avoid more serious and restrictive measures in the future.”

New Jersey has experienced below-average precipitation during four of the last five months, while at the same time temperatures have remained above average over the same period. Rainfall across New Jersey has been 2 inches to 7 inches below normal over the past 90 days.

“On the heels of the third driest September since records commenced in 1895, virtually no precipitation has fallen across New Jersey during the first half of October,” said State Climatologist David Robinson. “With little rain expected for the second half, the potential exists for not only the driest October on record but perhaps the driest of any month.”

The last Drought Watch in New Jersey occurred in August 2022 and was lifted in December 2022. The last statewide Drought Emergency with mandatory water use restrictions was declared in March 2002, and was lifted in January 2003.

In October 2016, the DEP placed 14 counties in the northern, central, and northern coastal areas of New Jersey under a Drought Warning due to ongoing precipitation deficits and deteriorating water-supply conditions, particularly storage levels in reservoirs. At the same time, regions along the lower Delaware River were placed under a watch. All regional drought warnings and watches were lifted by August 2017.

The weekly e-news update for the "Regional Drinking Water Supply Indicators & Declared Water Supply Status" as of October 13th  for the NJ Southwest region (our region) lists our 90-Day Precipitation as "moderately dry," and our "90-Day Stream Flow" as "extremely dry."  We are in "Warning" mode for our region's "Unconf Ground Water" rating.

The Drought "Watch" status is the first of three stages in the State’s three-stage drought advisory system. The watch is intended to sow public awareness and appreciation of the stress upon water supply sources and encourage voluntary water conservation measures. If conditions do not improve, declaration of a drought warning or a drought emergency with mandatory water use restrictions can become necessary. Voluntary conservation measures at the watch stage can help to avoid more serious and restrictive drought conditions.

The most up-to-date information about the status of New Jersey’s water supplies can be found at dep.nj.gov/drought

For additional information about water conservation and water conservation tips go to Ewing New Jersey - Water Conservation and Ewing New Jersey - Water Conservation Tips.

This has also elevated the wildfire restriction level throughout the state and the fire danger in Mercer County is very high with Stage 3 fire restrictions now in effect for the county,   This means all fires in wooded areas are prohibited unless it's contained in an elevated stove using propane, natural gas, or electricity.  And campfires, picnic barbecues, and charcoal fires are banned in parks until further notice.

Climate Change - Precipitation

The 2020 New Jersey Scientific Report on Climate Change predicts that droughts may occur more frequently due to the expected changes in precipitation patterns.  In fact, the report issues very contrary predictions for precipitation due to climate change, a sort of climate whiplash effect. 

"While average annual precipitation totals show a slight increase, climate change is expected to exacerbate the intensity of rainfall events and extend the duration of drier periods."[2]

Indeed, “drought and heatwave conditions are occurring more frequently across the United States and are having significant impacts on ecosystems and society.”[3] 

What you can do

Whether our “abnormally dry” conditions persist, or rainfall returns to alleviate the current precipitation deficit, we encourage all residents and businesses to do their part to conserve water.  Your actions do make a difference and can directly affect our local environment and waterways. 

In the Home

Bathroom

• Install a low-flow showerhead - To save 7,665 gallons and $50 per year
• Take 5-minute showers - To save 76,650 gallons and $498 per year
• Install a low-flow toilet - To save 10,986 gallons and $70 per year
• Turn off water while brushing teeth - To save 11,680 gallons and $75 per year
• Fix constantly running toilets - To save 73,846 gallons and $480 per year

Laundry Room

• Upgrade to a high efficiency washer - To save 14,585 gallons and $94 per year
• Run washing machine only when full - To save 10,534 gallons and $68 per year

Kitchen

• Run the dishwasher only when it’s full - To save 2,920 gallons and $19 per year
• Install high-efficiency dishwasher - To save 1,314 gallons and $8 per year
• Use a faucet aerator, low flow faucet - To save 15,622 gallons and $100 per year
• Take care of household leaks - To save 10% on water bill

Outside the Home

When landscaping:

• Water only when needed; in NJ, most landscapes need only 1 inch of water a week. This often comes from rainfall and dew.
• Water flowers and landscaping with water harvested in a rain barrel connected to a downspout.
• Use 30-50% less water with drip irrigation and micro-sprays compared to sprinklers.
• Get an audit done on your irrigation system by someone who is a WaterSense partner.

In the Garden:

• Use native plants that need less water.
• Group plants together based on water needs.
• Choose drought-tolerant grass varieties, such as fine-leaf fescues.
• Mulch around plants to reduce evaporation and weeds.
• Replace lawns with native plant beds, which require less water.
• Water plants early morning or evening to reduce evaporation.
• Water the root zone of plants instead of the foliage.
• Water deeply and less frequently for a deeper, healthier root system.
• Add organic matter to the soil to improve water and nutrient-holding.
• Use water from dehumidifiers and/or air conditioners to water plants.

Outdoor Household Chores:

• Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.
• Raise your lawnmower blade to at least 3 inches to promote deeper grass roots which hold water better.
• Don’t over fertilize lawns, which causes them to need more water to survive.
• Sweep driveways, sidewalks, and steps, rather than using a hose.

The NJDEP also suggestions 10 Simple Steps to Save Water This Fall

[1] Home | Drought.gov

[2] https://www.nj.gov/dep/climatechange/docs/nj-scientific-report-2020.pdf page 40

[3] NJDEP | 2020 Scientific Report on Climate Change page 41.