A statewide drought warning was issued on Friday as water supply conditions deteriorate across New Jersey.
Residents and businesses are urged to limit water usage while the warning is in effect, the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) said in a statement on Friday afternoon.
DEP Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette has signed an administrative order designating the drought warning. The state was previously under the less severe designation, a drought watch, since October 1. Under the warning, the state urges residents and businesses to voluntarily use water sparingly.
“The Department of Environmental Protection is closely monitoring drought indicators and water supplies to ensure we have enough water across the state,” Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement. “While there are currently no mandatory restrictions in place, it is up to each of us to take precautions now and do our part by conserving water use in and around our homes and businesses.”
The state has released a list of ways residents can lessen their water use, which includes running dishwashers and washing machines only when they are full, avoiding washing cars at home, shutting off irrigation systems and upgrading faucets and shower heads.
If conditions worsen, the state will enter the emergency stage, in which the governor sets mandatory restrictions on water usage.
The risk of a drought is due to low reservoir levels across New Jersey, as well as extremely dry precipitation totals, stream flows and shallow groundwater levels, the DEP said.
LaTourette said the deteriorating water conditions are due to climate change.
“The precipitation and water supply uncertainty we’ve experienced over the past year is a symptom of the impacts of climate change here in New Jersey,” LaTourette said in a statement. “We ask residents, businesses, and partners in local government to join us in spreading the urgency of the need to conserve water.”
In the Northeast part of the state, reservoir levels are lower than they were during the last drought warning, which lasted from November 2024 to June 2025.
