New Jersey declares Drought Watch; residents urged to conserve water use

NEW JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — Officials in Camden County are urging residents to conserve water as the state of New Jersey has declared a Drought Watch.

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection says the state has “experienced significantly below-average rainfall” in the last three months, contributing to diminished streamflow, reservoir, and groundwater levels.

The Drought Watch, they say, was intended to increase public awareness and appreciation of the stress water supply sources are facing.

The state Department of Environmental Protection has a three-grade criteria for drought conditions. The first step is a watch and conservation is encouraged. If conditions don’t improve, the state could move to a warning or emergency level, which would come with mandatory orders.

Residents are encouraged to use a car wash instead of washing at home, skip watering their grass, and take shorter showers.

The last Drought Watch in New Jersey lasted from August 2022 to December 2022. The last statewide Drought Emergency with mandatory water use restrictions was in March 2002. It was lifted in January 2003.

For more water conservation tips, click here .