As New Jersey continues to experience historically low precipitation, above-average temperatures, and deteriorating water-supply conditions, Governor Phil Murphy and DEP Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette today announced the State is declaring a Drought Warning.

As the state enters the next stage in severity of water-storage conditions, officials strongly encouraged the public to reduce water use during a virtual press conference.

Last week, parts of Ocean County were designated by the National Drought Mitigation Center to be in “extreme” drought, a rare designation which only occurs every 20-50 years, according to the latest maps from the

Firefighters across New Jersey are battling a number of wildfires during a record-breaking dry spell that is affecting the entire Northeast.

Since early October, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service has responded to 537 wildfires, a more than 1,300% increase in wildfires over the same period last year.

Since the start of the year, nearly 1,300 wildfires have burned over 11,000 acres. The average number of fires per year since the year 2000 has been 1,071 wildfires and 4,000 acres burned.

As a result of the extremely dry conditions, mandatory statewide Stage 3 fire restrictions remain in effect. These restrictions prohibit all fires unless they are contained in an elevated stove using only propane, natural gas, or electricity. No wood or charcoal fires are allowed, and the use of kerosene or gas torches of any kind is prohibited while this level of restriction is in place.

Commissioner LaTourette today signed an Administrative Order authorizing the Drought Warning designation, which is the next stage of drought after a Water Supply Drought Watch.

DEP announced Drought Watch status in mid-October, following a period of prolonged dry conditions. A Drought Warning enables the DEP to more closely manage water systems by directing water transfers among systems, controlling releases from reservoirs, and modifying the rate of flow in streams and rivers in order to balance ecological protection and needs of water suppliers.

Drought Warning Explained

The goal of a Drought Warning is to preserve and balance available water supplies in an effort to avert more serious water shortages in the future. The Administrative Order designating Drought Warning status comes a day after the DEP held a hearing to update water suppliers and the public on water supply conditions, receive their input, and assess all available water supply management options. The state last entered Drought Warning status in October 2016, which persisted in some parts of the state until August 2017.

The Administrative Order establishes a formal process for the DEP to work with water suppliers in affected regions to ensure no single water supplier or region faces a significant shortfall if dry weather and high customer demand continue. In consideration and preparation for Drought Warning status, DEP has been consulting with water suppliers to assess conditions, ensure they are fully aware of the situation, and that they are able to work cooperatively with the DEP.

Water Conservation Guidance

The public is strongly encouraged to follow these tips to reduce water use:

• At this time of year, it is appropriate to let lawns go dormant for the season.

• Winterize, and shut off irrigation systems as soon as possible.

• Only use a watering can to water flowers and shrubs or allow them to go dormant for the season.

• Use a broom to sweep the sidewalk, rather than a hose.

• Use a commercial car wash that recycles water, as washing your car at home typically results in more water use.

• To save water at home, fix leaky faucets and pipes. Consider replacing your toilet with a low-flow version; this can save around 11,000 gallons per year.

• Upgrade your showerhead to low-flow versions, which can save some 7,700 gallons per year.

• Upgrade your faucets or install faucet aerators; this can save some 16,000 gallons per year.

Types of Droughts

There are different types of droughts. Meteorological 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.

Drought conditions are currently impacting more than half of the United States, with all of New Jersey and Delaware, and large parts of eastern Pennsylvania and southern New York experiencing at least moderate drought conditions, according to the National Drought Mitigation Center’s U.S. Drought Monitor.

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.