Shore points included in NJ drought watch

All of Monmouth and parts of northern Ocean County fall under a 12-county drought watch issued today by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

The zone extends through New Jersey's northeastern, northern coastal and central areas. All, or part, of Middlesex, Mercer, Passaic, Somerset, Union, Hunterdon, Essex, Hudson and Bergen are also within the watch area.

Full details of New Jersey's water supply status can be found here.

Extended dry periods have shrunk reservoir, ground water and stream flow through all three regions, officials said. They include the Manasquan Reservoir in Monmouth and Spruce Run Reservoir in Hunterdon, operated by the New Jersey Water Supply Authority, and United Water's Oradell reservoir in Bergen.

The watch is aimed at raising awareness and encouraging voluntary conservation. DEP Commissioner Bob Martin said that the agency has tracked rainfall and water levels assiduously since springtime.

"While it is not uncommon to see reduced stream flows and ground water levels by the end of the summer season, we are beginning to observe signs of stress in our water supply indicators, and this warrants closer scrutiny and public cooperation," Martin said in a prepared statement.

The National Weather Service predicts continued dry conditions through October. Environmental regulators are growing concerned over a domino effect reaching interconnected systems through excessive demand and use.

The next step, say DEP officials, would be a drought warning, in which the agency has the option to order water suppliers to develop alternative sources or transfer the commodity from better-stocked to poorer-stocked areas.

Among DEP's conservation suggestions:

• Limit lawn or landscaping watering to 30 minutes, twice weekly, morning or evening.
• Use a hose and hand-held nozzle for flowers and shurbs.
• Clean sidewalks with a broom instead of a hose and water.
• Fix leaky faucets and pipes in the house.
• Avoid letting water run while shaving or brushing teeth.
• Run washing machines and dishwashers with full loads.

More conservation pointers can be found here.