Drought Restrictions for northern NJ

[Bucksnbows]

No surprise here.......

 

 

IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 25, 2016

Contact: Bob Considine         (609) 292-2994
                Lawrence Hajna       (609) 984-1795
                Caryn Shinske          (609) 984-1795

DROUGHT WATCH ISSUED FOR MOST OF NORTHERN NEW JERSEY
DEP URGES VOLUNTARY WATER-USE REDUCTIONS AS DRY CONDITIONS PERSIST

(16/P71) TRENTON - As a result of continued dry weather, the Department of Environmental Protection has issued a water supply drought watch for most of northern New Jersey, Commissioner Bob Martin announced today.

The DEP is urging residents in the affected areas to voluntarily conserve water and for the rest of the state to practice wise water use due to continued dry weather that is impacting levels in reservoirs, lakes, rivers and streams as well as shallow ground water sources.

The drought watch affects the Northeast, Northwest, and Central regions. These regions include all of Bergen, Essex, Hunterdon, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren counties.

The purpose of the drought watch is to raise public awareness, formally alert all water suppliers in the affected regions, and seek voluntary cooperation to preserve existing supplies. The goal is to moderate demand should dry conditions persist.

"We have been carefully monitoring precipitation, reservoir storage, surface water and ground water conditions," Commissioner Martin said. "The northern part of the state, which is very dependent on reservoirs, has experienced some of the driest conditions in the state over the past several months. Conditions in other parts of the state, though not as severe, are showing signs of stress, and residents of these areas should also conserve water.

"We advocate for conservation of water at all times, but are urging residents to be especially aware of the situation and use water more carefully, especially when it comes to lawn watering and other non-essential uses," Commissioner Martin added.
 Precipitation deficits over the past 90 days are as much as 40 percent below average in many parts of northern New Jersey, while deficits in central New Jersey are more moderate, ranging between 10 and 25 percent. Precipitation has been above average only in the southernmost counties of Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem.

Some suggested water conservation tips include:

* Do not over-water lawns and landscaping. Two times per week for 30 minutes in the morning or late evening typically 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.
* Turn off the faucet while brushing teeth and shaving.
* Run washing machines and dishwashers only when full.

"Our hope is to avoid a water emergency and the need to impose mandatory restrictions by preserving supplies now until more rainfall provides relief and replenishes water reserves," Commissioner Martin added. "When everyone pitches in, many millions of gallons of water could be saved each day."

Reservoirs are the primary source of drinking water in the Northeast Region, with a total of 12 reservoirs and a combined capacity of 70.6 billion gallons. While combined reservoir storage throughout the region remains relatively good, some are showing declines that are steeper than the long-term summertime averages due to lack of rainfall and increased demand.

Two reservoir systems will warrant careful observation if the dry trend continues - Suez Water-NJ's Oradell system in Bergen County and the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission's Wanaque system in Passaic County. The concern is that these systems could become particularly stressed if dry conditions persist.

These two systems are critical to the region, accounting for roughly two-thirds of the total storage volume and serving some of the most densely populated areas of the state. Both systems have dropped to below 80 percent of capacity, about eight percent lower than usual for this time of year.

If conditions remain warm and dry and water demands do not decrease, the DEP will consider further regulatory actions, such as the designation of a drought warning. Under a drought warning, the DEP may order water suppliers to develop alternative sources of water or transfers of water between areas of New Jersey with relatively more water to those with less.

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

For more information on water conservation, visit:  www.njdrought.org/ideas.html

[Haskell_Hunter]

It's about time.  I saw this this AM too.  Was happy that they've finally declared something.

 

Rain forecast this weekend, but maybe only an inch.  I hate to say it, but we could use a good tropical storm or the remnants of one to bring us back up to where we need to be.

[Rusty]

Yeah, it's been too dry for too long.

 

Last night's rain was welcome, the forecast called for 0.2 inches but we got 1 1/2.  Hopefully another inch this Friday - Saturday.    

[MRMCR]

I guess what fools people into thinking were OK is everything is still green.....at least by me........

[DRBetz]

Just yesterday my neighbor told me she wasn't watering her garden as much because of all the rain we have been getting lately, I was floored.

[Rusty]

The forecast is now calling for 2" of rain from Friday - Sunday.  That would help.  

[Bucksnbows]

Yeah, it's been too dry for too long.

 

Last night's rain was welcome, the forecast called for 0.2 inches but we got 1 1/2.  Hopefully another inch this Friday - Saturday.    

 

 

See how localized it is?  I'm near the Musconetcong and in the South Branch Raritan headwatwers, and we only got maybe 2/10" the other night.  Walking on my lawn is like the TV I remember as a kid when man first walked on the moon - each footprint kicking up a little dust.  I now mow the weeks about every 2 weeks, the lawn is burnt out and in no need of cutting.  We had our first ever zero blackberry crop.  The berries were tiny and the gray catbirds ate all they could.  We didn't collect any and we normally have far too many and share with the neighbors.   

[Rusty]

They're calling for a real soaker over the next few days.  10-15 degrees cooler and over 3" of rain from Friday - Sunday, keep your fingers crossed.  

[LittleM]

Bets that by today's end, the majority of the rain is removed from the forecast?  Hope not, but ..............

[Haskell_Hunter]

Tomorrow is going to be a potential soaker and so is Sunday.  Some rain on Monday, but hit or miss.  2" forecast for the great metropolis of Haskell.

[Bucksnbows]

Tomorrow is going to be a potential soaker and so is Sunday.  Some rain on Monday, but hit or miss.  2" forecast for the great metropolis of Haskell.

 

I grew up in the megalopolis next to you, West Milford  

[Rusty]

Bets that by today's end, the majority of the rain is removed from the forecast?  Hope not, but ..............

 

They just added another inch, it's now calling for over 4" in Sparta.         

[Haskell_Hunter]

They just added another inch, it's now calling for over 4" in Sparta.         

 

Only downsides are the flash flooding and that rt 620 is going to end up in a gorge.

[Rusty]

2 inches of rain by me in Sussex on Friday.  

 

Edited July 31, 2016 by Rusty

[Haskell_Hunter]

It helped, but we're still not there yet.  I was out riding today which takes me past Wanaque and Monksville, and also got over to Clinton Res before it started raining and I head back.  Wanaque is bad, but Clinton isn't too, too bad.  I went past Canistear on Wednesday, and it was starting to show more shoreline.  Let's hope for a soaker Sat-Sun.