Drought Watch Issued For Gloucester County: NJDEP

Despite recent rainfall that hit southern New Jersey and caused flooding in some areas, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) issued a drought watch for Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Monmouth, Ocean and Salem counties Wednesday morning.

A drought watch that has been in effect since July remains in effect for Sussex and Warren counties, and NJDEP anticipates issuing a drought warning for Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset and Union.

A public hearing must be held before a drought warning can be put in place, and that hearing will take place on Oct. 20 at the Millburn Free Public Library, 200 Glen Avenue, Millburn, Essex County, 10 a.m.

“The recent rainfall we received, while spanning several days, was not enough to reverse downward trends in our water supplies due to extended dry weather patterns over most the year,” NJDEP Commissioner Bob Martin said. “It is very important for residents and businesses across New Jersey to voluntarily conserve water – especially regarding non-essential water use, such as watering lawns and landscaping – until we get sufficient rainfall to replenish supplies.”

NJDEP determines what impact the lack of precipitation will have on water supplies, including reservoir levels, stream flows, and levels in shallow groundwater sources, also known as unconfined aquifers.

Reservoir systems in the northeastern and northern coastal parts of the state have been grappling with below-normal precipitation for much of the year. Reservoir storage typically declines at this time of year due to heavy usage and normal summer weather patterns.

Major reservoir systems, however, are below their normal levels for this time of year, and may need management of interconnections to balance storage in if significant rainfall does not occur by the time of the hearing.

Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Salem counties rely primarily on groundwater. Stream flows and groundwater are rated as severely dry under indicators used by NJDEP in the area. Rainfall in the area is rated as moderately dry.

NJDEP offers the following tips to reduce this use:

• At this time, it is appropriate to just let your lawns go dormant. If you decided to water lawns, do so sparingly. Two times per week for 20 minutes is sufficient.
• Use a hose with a hand-held nozzle to water flowers and shrubs.
• Avoid watering lawns and plants during the heat of the day, since much of this water will evaporate without helping the lawn.
• Use a broom to sweep the sidewalk, rather than a hose.
• 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.
• Turn off the faucet while brushing teeth and shaving.
• Run washing machines and dishwashers only when full.
• Upgrade your showerhead to low-flow versions; they can save some 7,700 gallons per year.
• Upgrade your faucets or install faucet aerators; this can save some 16,000 gallons per year.

For more state water supply status information, visit www.njdrought.org/status.html.

For more detailed information on water conservation technologies and interesting facts, visit www.nj.gov/dep/watersupply/conserve.htm.

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