Don’t wait!

That was one of the key messages expressed Tuesday by residents, environmental groups and even some water suppliers during a special public hearing to address New Jersey’s severe drought and declining water capacity.

Many people who spoke at the hearing urged the Department of Environmental Protection to take action as quickly as possible by issuing a formal drought warning or declaring a rare but more drastic state of emergency.

It appears the DEP is about to issue a drought warning as soon as Wednesday, as the agency has scheduled a press conference for 11 a.m. and says it will “discuss which state will enter drought warning status as extended dry spells occur across the country.” state continues.”

Some attendees at Tuesday’s hearing, held virtually on Microsoft Teams, accused the state of waiting too long to take decisive steps to ensure New Jersey has enough water capacity for drinking, watering crops and to fight many large forest fires that have broken out as a result of the extremely dry conditions.

Although Gov. Phil Murphy’s office issued a drought warning on Oct. 17, the regulator simply asked residents and businesses to voluntarily conserve water. It did not include mandatory restrictions on water use — something several speakers at Tuesday’s hearing said will be needed soon.

“I would love to move to a drought crisis so that we keep people from watering their lawns,” said Tim Eustace, executive director of the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission, which oversees a major water network in Passaic County that covers the huge water supply. Wanaque Reservoir.

“We at Wanaque are currently at about 45% capacity,” said Eustace, “and I agree that using potable water to water lawns is kind of crazy. That has always been the case.”

He referenced concerns among some residents and environmentalists that millions of gallons of potable water are used every day by people watering their lawns.

Some speakers also raised concerns about whether the shrinking flow of streams and rivers, and low groundwater levels in some parts of the state, could increase the risk of water pollution.

A reporter from the Associated Press asked the DEP if there are any towns or cities in New Jersey that are in immediate danger of running out of drinking water or not having enough water to fight fires.

The DEP called it a technical question and did not immediately provide an answer.

Among those speaking in favor of mandatory water restrictions was Doug O’Malley, director of an environmental organization called Environment New Jersey.

“I would say that to an average member of the public the difference between a drought warning or drought watch, or even a drought emergency, is not particularly clear,” O’Malley said. “That said, if someone tells you you can’t water your lawn, it gets people’s attention. That’s honestly where we need to go.”

He said the low reservoir capacity “should be a flashing red light” to let officials know emergency action needs to be taken.

Major rainfall deficit

The public hearing was prompted by the steady decline in water storage levels in many parts of the state as severe drought conditions persist with no end in sight.

New Jersey State Climatologist David Robinson noted that the state is experiencing significant precipitation deficits, up to 10 inches in places like New Brunswick, due to the historic dry weather our region has experienced for several months.

Although New Jersey had some rain in September, it ended up being the third driest September on record in the state, with statistics going all the way back to 1895.

That was followed by a nearly rain-free October — which was not only the driest October on record, but also the driest of any month ever recorded in New Jersey, Robinson said at the drought hearing.

And the dry period has continued, with very little rain falling in the first twelve days of November. While there is a slight chance of showers Thursday night, no rain is expected for most of the next five days.

A drought warning may be issued

Based on current water storage levels — with some of the largest reservoirs in the state at or near record lows — the DEP could issue a formal drought warning, technically known as a “water supply drought warning,” within days.

The DEP called the extended period of extremely dry weather “unprecedented” and said the lack of rain has led to “rapidly deteriorating water supply indicators.”

Making the situation worse is the outbreak of forest fires, with firefighters battling hundreds of blazes in recent weeks, fueled by very dry brush, low humidity and gusty winds.

More than a half-dozen wildfires continued to burn Tuesday, including a massive blaze that has spread to nearly 3,500 acres in northern New Jersey and nearby New York’s Orange County.

A drought warning would give the DEP more authority to ensure that water suppliers distribute and transfer sufficient drinking water to every region of the state, especially the areas with the lowest supplies. It would also allow the state to order water utilities to develop alternative water sources.

A drought crisis — which is more severe and rarer than a warning — would allow the governor to impose mandatory restrictions or even bans on certain uses of water.

The DEP, which is responsible for monitoring and managing water supplies in collaboration with public and private water suppliers, noted that a water supply drought refers to reductions in water resources, such as reservoirs, streams and groundwater.

“Determination of water supply drought is based on a lack of precipitation, rapidly declining storage capacity in the combined capacity of large surface water reservoirs, and/or severely depleted groundwater levels and streamflows,” the agency said.

In October 2016, the state DEP issued a drought warning for 14 counties in northern and central New Jersey, amid major precipitation deficits and dwindling water supplies.

Before that, the last drought warning in the state was issued in November 2001, covering 13 counties. That warning was expanded to seven additional provinces in January 2002 and was followed by a rare drought crisis declared by the then government. James McGreevey in March 2002.

For more details on the state’s current drought status, reservoir levels and water conservation tips, the DEP said residents can consult this website: njdrought.org.