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The continued dry conditions and concerns about reservoir levels have led the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to issue a drought watch for Hudson County and four other North Jersey counties.

The DEP, which has noticed “a rapid decline” in some reservoir levels, hopes to moderate water demand through voluntary conservation. It is not issuing a formal drought warning at this time, which could initiate mandatory steps such as water transfers between regional water supply systems.

“We are asking residents in these five affected counties to keep watch on their water use, to voluntarily reduce unessential water use,” DEP commissioner Bob Martin says in a statement. “Using water responsibly by voluntarily taking steps such as limiting lawn and landscaping water, and cutting back on at-home car washing, could save millions of gallons of water daily.”

With no rain in the forecast until Wednesday, it looks like the water supply situation will not appreciably improve soon.

Here are some suggested water conservation tips from the DEP:

• Don’t over-water lawns and plants; instead water them twice a week for 30 minutes tops in the morning or late evening hours. If you are watering flowers and shrubs, use a hose with a hand-held nozzle.
• Turn off the faucet while brushing teeth and shaving.
• Run washing machines and dishwashers only when full.
• Use a broom to sweep the sidewalk, rather than a hose.


Click here for more info on water supply status, and here for more ideas about water conservation.



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