NEW JERSEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSIONER URGES WATER CONSERVATION
STATEWIDE
Wildfire Danger continues to be high across New Jersey
(06/34) TRENTON -- As an unusually dry
spring continues to deplete New Jersey's water resources, Department
of Environmental Protection Commissioner Lisa P. Jackson today declared
a drought watch and urged everyone to use water wisely.
"Water is a resource we can't afford to take for granted,"
Commissioner Jackson said. "Before demand peaks, we are asking
every resident to help avert a possible water crisis. Right now,
we have enough to use, but not enough to waste. All of us can take
simple steps to conserve the supplies we will desperately need later
if the spring and summer remain dry."
The DEP's tracking of New Jersey's six drought regions shows a
steady decline in key water-supply criteria, including precipitation,
stream flow and unconfined ground water levels. Stream flows, which
react to fluctuations in precipitation, are considered severely
dry throughout most of New Jersey. In the northeast drought region,
stream flow levels are extremely dry. Ground water levels are moderately
dry in all six-drought regions.
As New Jersey begins its high seasonal water demand period from
May through September, already-low water supplies may be further
diminished without normal to above-normal rainfall.
To avoid the need for more restrictive, mandatory water-use measures,
the DEP urges the public to take steps to voluntarily conserve water,
including:
- limit lawn watering to twice a week, preferably in the morning
or early evening to minimize evaporation. Water landscaping by
hand only as needed.
- Fix leaking faucets and pipes in the home, and turn off the
faucet while brushing teeth and shaving.
- Turn off faucets when not in use.
- Install water conserving faucet and showerheads.
- Run washing machines and dishwashers only when full.
Further, campfire restrictions are in place in northern New Jersey
to prevent brush fires. Fires directly on the ground are prohibited
unless in a prepared fire ring, which must be constructed of steel,
stone, brick, or concrete with a gravel or masonry base.
To learn more about water conservation, visit www.njdrought.org.
For additional information on fire restrictions, visit www.njwildfire.org.
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