By Jay Weisbond, New Jersey League of Conservation Voters
We often hear about wildfires and droughts in the Southwest and Western U.S.—places like California, Arizona, and Texas. But now, New Jersey is facing its own drought crisis, and the risk of severe wildfires is growing. This is what climate change looks like: unusual, extreme weather that endangers our homes, businesses, and communities if we’re not prepared. Unless we take action, these threats will only intensify. Last month, Governor Murphy and the New Jersey DEP issued a statewide Drought Watch, urging all residents and businesses to voluntarily conserve water. Over the past four months, New Jersey has experienced significantly below-average rainfall, resulting in diminished streamflow, reservoir, and groundwater levels.
This graphic demonstrates how the drought has worsened significantly from the beginning to the end of October.
As of this writing, it has not rained in two months. This is the longest period without rain since 1895. The Drought Watch was issued to raise public awareness about the stress on our water sources and encourage the public to adopt voluntary conservation practices. With still no sign of rainfall, conditions will continue to deteriorate. If it does not improve, the state could potentially declare a Drought Warning or a Drought Emergency mandatory water use restrictions. State officials are notably concerned about fire risk and closely monitoring potential impacts on drinking water.
New Jersey experienced its third driest September since record-keeping began in 1895, with virtually no precipitation across the state in October. Even more concerning, October may not only be the driest October on record, but potentially the driest month ever recorded in New Jersey. In other words, it is extremely plausible that New Jersey could break records for the most consecutive days without rain.
However, the precariousness of New Jersey’s water supply is not solely due to low rainfall, though drought conditions certainly intensify the strain and reduce the resilience of our water resources. There has been a long-standing issue that permitted water use allocations have often exceeded sustainable levels. For instance, the Highlands Regional Master Plan identifies numerous watersheds and groundwater sheds where this is the case. Additionally, in the early 2000s, following intense debate, the Pinelands Commission conducted studies of local water supplies, and Cape May’s chronic overuse led to the construction of desalination plants, with plans for additional facilities underway.
Research conducted by the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) shows that local water overuse is contributing to drought conditions that impact the Delaware River’s “salt front.” The salt front is the point at which saltwater from the Delaware Bay flows into the river, severely affecting drinking water by increasing salt concentrations in freshwater sources. Chloride levels reveal how far ocean-derived saltwater has encroached into the upper estuary, a movement counteracted by freshwater flows from the non-tidal Delaware River, which dilute and push back the salt-laden water. Although the salt front itself is not visible, its position shifts based on freshwater inflows that affect chloride concentration. When saltwater moves upriver, it raises corrosion control costs for industrial water users and increases treatment costs for public water suppliers.
According to the NJ Statewide Water Supply Plan, there is a concerning trend of increasing amounts of fresh water, much of it highly treated drinking water, being used to irrigate lawns and landscapes. This practice is rapidly depleting water reserves during demand-driven shortages, a scenario that is likely to worsen as droughts become more severe.
New Jersey’s Master Water Supply Plan focuses on identifying and addressing sources of declining water quality, particularly due to aging infrastructure. Over the next five years, with support from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the New Jersey Clean Water Council, the Water Supply Advisory Council (WSAC), Jersey Water Works, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, the Department of Community Affairs, the Governor’s office across multiple administrations, and the Legislature, the state is planning improvement projects to evaluate infrastructure needs and implement solutions through guidance, regulations, and funding initiatives. However, there is still room for improvement in our Master Water Supply Plan by providing more specific details on the quality and impact of the proposed revisions, establishing sustainable water allocation levels—especially during droughts—and addressing critical ecological needs. This is particularly important for estuaries and coastal areas, where adequate freshwater inflows are essential for ecosystem health.
Image of the effects of drought on rivers in New Jersey, showing significantly low water levels in this particular river.
In the meantime, it’s up to all of us to conserve water during this period of high demand and limited resources. The New Jersey DEP has launched an outreach campaign to inform residents on water conservation and safe practices during the drought. Here are some simple steps the DEP recommends to help protect our water resources and support a sustainable future for New Jersey:
Reduce water usage by 65% and choose a commercial car wash instead of washing your car at home.
Delay water-intensive yard work, like reseeding your lawn, until conditions improve.
Sweep patios, driveways, and sidewalks instead of hosing them down. Never hose down paved surfaces!
Fix any leaks around your home and irrigation system to prevent water waste. A leaky faucet alone can waste up to 2 gallons of water a day.
If you’re still watering plants, use less water and consider using a rain barrel or watering can.
Let your lawn rest from frequent watering—watering twice a week is enough.
Additionally, avoid using fire pits and bonfires, as the risk of wildfires is elevated in these conditions. By following these steps, we can all contribute to conserving water and protecting our environment.