The Murphy Administration issued a statewide Drought Watch strongly urging residents and businesses to voluntarily conserve water as a result of prolonged below-average precipitation that is stressing water supplies. The issuance of the Drought Watch comes less than three months after the lifting of a statewide Drought Warning.
"Over the past year, New Jersey has experienced extreme weather variability that is consistent with a changing climate,” Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette said. “Last fall and winter were among the driest on record, leading to a Drought Warning in November that was followed by a very wet May and even severe flash flooding in parts of the state in July. But with the return of prolonged dry conditions over the latter part of this summer and early fall, water supplies are showing signs of stress again.”
The declaration of a Drought Watch is intended to increase public awareness and appreciation of the stress water supply sources are facing. The issuance of a Drought Watch encourages the public to practice voluntary water conservation measures. If conditions do not improve, the state could declare a Drought Warning followed by a Drought Emergency, under which mandatory water use restrictions would become necessary. Read the full news release here.
