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DROUGHT WARNING UPDATE 1/16/25
Recent rain and snowfall statewide have generally helped the water supply conditions across New Jersey, but the accumulations were not enough to change current water supply conditions and New Jersey remains in drought warning. The public is strongly urged to continue voluntary water conservation practices.
NJ Rainfall totals this week Less than 0.1 inches of rain were observed between last weeks Drinking Water Supply Indicators (1/5/25) and this weeks (1/12/25).
DROUGHT WARNING UPDATE 1/2/25
Recent rain and snowfall statewide have generally helped the water supply conditions across New Jersey, but the accumulations were not enough to change current water supply conditions and New Jersey remains in drought warning. The public is strongly urged to continue voluntary water conservation practices.
NJ Rainfall totals this weekBetween 0.5 and 1.0 inches of rain were observed between last weeks Drinking Water Supply Indicators (12/22/24) and this weeks (12/29/24).
NJDEP continues to monitor the situation closely, updating the indicators weekly, and keeping the public informed as conditions evolve.
Next Update: 1/8/25 - 1/9/25
DROUGHT WARNING UPDATE 12/17/24
Recent rain and snowfall statewide have generally helped the water supply conditions across New Jersey, but the accumulations were not enough to change current water supply conditions and New Jersey remains in drought warning. The public is strongly urged to continue voluntary water conservation practices.
NJ Rainfall totals this weekBetween 1.2 and 2.0 inches of rain were observed between last weeks Drinking Water Supply Indicators (12/8/24) and this weeks (12/15/24).
NJDEP continues to monitor the situation closely, updating the indicators weekly, and keeping the public informed as conditions evolve.
DROUGHT WARNING UPDATE 11/27/24Recent rain and snowfall statewide have generally helped the water supply conditions across New Jersey, but the accumulations were not enough to change current water supply conditions and New Jersey remains in drought warning. While fire restrictions have been lifted statewide, the public is strongly urged to continue voluntary water conservation practices.
NJ Rainfall totals this week
1 - 1.5 inches of rain in the southern portion of the state
1.5 - 2.5 inches in the northern portion of the state.
NJDEP continues to monitor the situation closely, updating the indicators weekly, and keeping the public informed as conditions evolve.
Next Update: 12/3-5
Water Conservation Guidance
Let lawns go dormant for the seasonWinterize and shut off irrigation systems Use a broom to sweep the sidewalk, rather than a hoseWash cars at a commercial car wash that recycles waterFix leaky faucets and pipes Upgrade your showerhead and faucets to low-flow versionsInstall faucet aeratorsTypes of DroughtsMeteorological drought refers to periods of low precipitation and high heat, like New Jersey has been experiencing for two months.
A hydrological or water supply drought refers to reductions in water supplies, like reservoirs, streams, and groundwater.
DEP is responsible for monitoring and managing water supplies in collaboration with public and private water providers. A water supply drought determination is based upon a lack of precipitation, rapidly declining storage in the combined capacity of major surface water supply reservoirs, and/or severely depleted groundwater levels and stream flows.
The DEP uses specific indicators to gauge the impacts that significantly reduced precipitation has had on water supplies. These include reservoir levels, stream flows, and levels in shallow groundwater sources, known as unconfined aquifers, which are important in the longer-term replenishment of streams and reservoirs.
Helpful Terminology
Drought Watch - an administrative designation made by the Department when drought or other factors begin to adversely affect water supply conditions. A Watch indicates that conditions are dry but not yet significantly so.
Drought Warning - represents a non-emergency phase of managing available water supplies during the developing stages of drought and falls between the Watch and Emergency levels of drought response. The aim of a Drought Watch is to avert a more serious water shortage that would necessitate declaration of a water emergency and the imposition of mandatory water use restrictions, bans on water use, or other potentially drastic measures. Under a drought warning, the Commissioner of the DEP may order water purveyors to develop alternative sources of water or transfer water between areas of the State with relatively more water to those with less. While mandatory water use restrictions are not imposed under a Warning, the general public is strongly urged to use water sparingly in affected areas.
Water Emergency - Can only be declared by the governor. During a water emergency, a phased approach to restricting water consumption is typically initiated. Phase I water use restrictions typically target non-essential, outdoor water use. And while some indirect economic impacts may occur, the first phases of water use restrictions seek to avoid adverse impacts on the economy. Those who deem themselves uniquely impacted by the restrictions can apply for a hardship exemption.
