NJ American Water Issues Mandatory Use Restrictions As Water Supplies Dip In Drought

HOWELL, NJ — Customers of New Jersey American Water are under mandatory water use restrictions after the state issued a drought warning on Wednesday, the water company said.

New Jersey American customers are asked to stop all outdoor watering until spring and to conserve water use indoors because of the ongoing lack of rainfall across the state.

Shawn LaTourette, the commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Protection, said the impact of the lack of rainfall, which goes back to August, is of serious concern in the "Coastal North" region of the state.

That region encompasses Monmouth County and northern Ocean County and includes the Manasquan Reservoir in Howell, the Manasquan and Metedeconk rivers, the Shark River and the Brick Reservoir.

The Manasquan Reservoir has fallen to its lowest level since October 2016, according to the New Jersey Water Supply Authority, which manages the reservoir. As of Thursday, it was at 50.23 percent of its capacity, with 2.35 billion gallons of water. The reservoir holds 4.67 billion gallons of water; in October 2016 the level fell to about 63 percent of capacity.

In late October, the impact of the drought — a drought watch was issued Oct. 13 due to the lack of rain — was starkly visible at Manasquan Reservoir. The western end of the reservoir, where Georgia Tavern Road crosses Timber Swamp Brook, was so dry the moss underneath was firm. Toward the eastern end, the water that normally put 3 or 4 feet under the fishing pier at the visitors center and boat launch had receded to the point where there was 3 feet of sand between the dock's pilings and the edge of the water.

LaTourette said that while the reservoir levels are a visual demonstration of the drought, they are not the only factor the state considers in terms of the drought levels and the decision to move from a watch to a warning or, potentially, a drought emergency.

"We are looking at a multitude of sources," he said, including groundwater and rivers and "the ability to transfer among systems."

"A reservoir level alone will not tell you that," LaTourette said.

While the state has not issued mandatory conservation measures, he said they are keeping a close eye on the drought's impact in the Coastal North region.

Steven Domber, New Jersey's state geologist, said water can be drawn from the Manasquan River to supplement as needed and can even be stored in the Manasquan Reservoir to bolster supplies as needed.

New Jersey American Water, which draws 12.5 million gallons of water per day from the Manasquan Reservoir and system, issued the following guidelines:

Outdoor Conservation

• Pause all outdoor watering. Plants require less water in the fall, so allow them to go dormant for the season, and postpone water-intensive landscaping until spring.
• Winterize your irrigation system. Turn off and drain sprinkler systems, outdoor spigots, and hoses.
• Sweep, don’t spray. Use a broom instead of a hose or pressure washer to clear leaves and debris from sidewalks or pavement.
• Use a commercial car wash that recycles water, instead of washing your car at home.

Indoor Conservation

• Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, shaving, or washing dishes in the sink.
• Run dishwashers and clothes washers only when full. If you have a water-saver cycle, use it.
• Take shorter showers. Try to shower in five minutes or less.
• Be a leak detective. Find and fix leaks and breaks in hoses, sprinkler systems, pipes and toilets. For help, download New Jersey American Water’s Leak Detection Kit at newjerseyamwater.com under Water Information.
• Insulate exposed water pipes with pre-slit foam insulation to maintain warmth and avoid wasting water while it heats up.
• Consider water and energy-efficient appliances. Products and services that have earned the US EPA WaterSense label have been certified to be at least 20 percent more efficient without sacrificing performance.

"We are dedicated to responsible water management and are prepared to support Governor Murphy and the NJ DEP’s action to move New Jersey to Drought Warning status," said Mark McDonough, president of New Jersey American Water. "Our customers can trust that we are closely tracking water conditions and are prepared to take additional measures to support statewide water preservation efforts."

"These small but impactful actions are designed to help alleviate stress on water sources and infrastructure. Together, we can make a difference and support the sustainability of our water resources," he said.