NJAW reminds customers to conserve while drought warning is in effect

VOORHEES, NJ — The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has issued a drought warning for the following 14 counties: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren.

The drought warning designation is an exercise of the DEP’s non-emergency authority and aims to reduce the likelihood or severity of an impending water shortage and/or water emergency. Under a warning, the DEP may direct actions to be taken by water suppliers that seek to preserve and balance water supplies in the affected regions.

During this period of diminished rainfall and lower reservoir storage levels, New Jersey American Water encourages its customers to use irrigation conservation measures and begin using an odd/even schedule for outdoor watering.

“With our customers’ cooperation in conserving water, we can continue to effectively manage our supplies to meet our customers’ needs,” Kevin Kirwan, NJAW vice president of operations, said in a press release.

New Jersey American Water will continue to provide regular updates regarding any additional conservation measures, as well as the overall supply status.

More water conservation tips are available at the New Jersey American Water website under “Wise Water Use.”