Summer Drought Watch

Summers in New Jersey are a beautiful thing, especially down the shore. However, the Garden State is experiencing a summer trend of intense heat and minimal rainfall exacerbated by climate change. These weather patterns stress animals and habitat as well as surface and groundwater supplies relied upon by humans for drinking water, irrigation and recreation.

While the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has not officially announced a drought watch or warning yet, low ground and surface water levels have the State concerned. These drought watches and warnings are only focused on human use, and do not account for the impacts to ecosystems which may already be occurring. Therefore, COA recommends that citizens become water aware now, and incorporate the water conservation measures found at http://nj.gov/dep/drought/ideas.html. Keep an eye on the status of drought in New Jersey by visiting http://nj.gov/dep/drought/status.html. Stay cool, stay water aware, and help conserve the most precious resource of all.