TRENTON, N.J. — The Murphy administration on Wednesday issued a statewide Drought Watch, strongly urging residents and businesses to voluntarily conserve water following prolonged below-average precipitation that is stressing supplies.
The declaration comes less than three months after the state lifted a Drought Warning that had been in effect since late 2024.
“Over the past year, New Jersey has experienced extreme weather variability that is consistent with a changing climate,” Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette said. “Last fall and winter were among the driest on record, leading to a Drought Warning in November that was followed by a very wet May and even severe flash flooding in parts of the state in July. But with the return of prolonged dry conditions over the latter part of this summer and early fall, water supplies are showing signs of stress again.”
The Department of Environmental Protection said the Drought Watch is intended to raise public awareness and encourage voluntary water conservation. If conditions worsen, the state could escalate to a Drought Warning and then a Drought Emergency, which would bring mandatory restrictions.
Rainfall across New Jersey has been one to six inches below normal over the past 90 days, officials said, leading to diminished streamflow, reservoir levels, and groundwater supplies. The state has also seen below-average precipitation during 10 of the past 12 months, coupled with mostly above-average temperatures.
“A dry late summer and early fall, along with most over the past year coming in with below normal precipitation, are contributing to water resource concerns across the state,” said State Climatologist David Robinson.
According to DEP, current drought indicators show average precipitation ranging from moderately dry to severely dry, streamflows below normal, reservoirs in the Northeast and Coastal North moderately dry, and groundwater statewide at severely dry levels.
New Jersey last entered a statewide Drought Watch in October 2024. That was followed by a Drought Warning in November, which was lifted this June after significant spring rainfall.
The DEP noted that climate change has made precipitation patterns less predictable, with more frequent cycles of intense rainfall followed by prolonged dry periods. The agency said it continues to monitor precipitation, streamflow, reservoir and groundwater levels, and water demand to determine if further action is needed.
Residents and businesses are encouraged to adopt conservation measures, such as reducing indoor water use, delaying lawn reseeding or other intensive irrigation activities, and adjusting automated sprinkler systems. The DEP also recommended using commercial car washes, which typically recycle water and operate more efficiently than home washing.
