New Jersey’s water supplies are buckling, and state leaders are pushing back. With rainfall scraping historic lows and temperatures pressing higher, Gov. Phil Murphy and DEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette issued a statewide Drought Warning, calling on residents to pull back on water use.
It’s a clear signal that the state isn’t waiting for an emergency to take action. With supplies tightening and wildfire risk surging across the Northeast, New Jersey is acting now to manage its resources.
The wildfires alone paint a sharp picture. New Jersey has already burned through over 11,000 acres this year—a stark spike from recent years. Just in the past month, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service has tackled 537 wildfires, a 1,300% jump from the same time last year. The Jennings Creek wildfire, near the New Jersey-New York border, took a tragic turn this past weekend, claiming the life of a New York State Parks worker. In response, the state has mobilized its All-Hazards Incident Management Team and clamped down with strict fire restrictions.
The Drought Warning puts more tools on the table for the DEP to actively manage water supplies. This elevated status lets the department coordinate water transfers, adjust reservoir releases, and tweak water flows to balance both supply needs and environmental impact. Originally, the DEP issued a Drought Watch in October; the new Warning underscores the urgency. Conservation isn’t just encouraged—it’s essential to avoid even tougher restrictions down the line.
“This drought situation is a direct result of climate change,” said Governor Murphy. “With low precipitation and record-high temperatures hitting statewide, we need everyone to conserve water and protect our resources.”
A Look at What’s Happening with Water Supplies
It’s been a brutal year for precipitation, especially in southern New Jersey, where rainfall is now a full 10 inches below the average. And reservoirs are showing the strain, particularly in high-density areas:
- Northeast region reservoirs are down to 60%, from a typical 72%.
- North Jersey District Water Supply reservoirs, which serve Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Passaic counties, are sitting at 54%, versus a normal 68%.
- Veolia-NJ system reservoirs, supplying Bergen County, are at 58%—normally, they’d be at 63%.
- Central New Jersey’s Raritan Basin reservoirs are at 81%, falling short of the usual 89%.
- Coastal North reservoirs in Monmouth and Ocean counties have dropped to 62%, far from the average 86%.
Beyond reservoirs, groundwater supplies are drying up, too, with severe depletion reported across the Northwest, Southwest, and southern coastal regions due to the low rainfall and dwindling streamflow.
DEP’s Call to Action
The DEP is urging residents and businesses alike to cut water use wherever possible. This includes simple steps—watering lawns less, fixing leaks, installing low-flow fixtures. These changes add up, aiming to relieve some of the pressure on supplies and reduce the likelihood of harsher restrictions.
Staying close with New Jersey’s water suppliers, the DEP is mapping a coordinated response as the state navigates this prolonged dry spell.
