New Jersey American Water issues mandatory conservation notice for Garden State customers

New Jersey American Water issued a mandatory conservation notice to customers on Wednesday after the state declared a drought warning due to historically low rainfall levels.

Leaders of the private water company are requesting that customers limit all nonessential water use by pausing outdoor watering until spring and conserving as much as possible indoors.

“We are dedicated to responsible water management and are prepared to support Gov. Murphy and the NJDEP’s action to move New Jersey to drought warning status,” said Mark McDonough, president of New Jersey American Water. “Our customers can trust that we are closely tracking water conditions and are prepared to take additional measures to support statewide water preservation efforts. However, it is critical for everyone to work together and conserve water now.”

In October, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection issued a drought watch, which was upgraded to a warning on Nov. 13.

Outdoor conservation guidelines:

• Pause all outdoor watering. Plants require less water in the fall, so allow them to go dormant for the season, and postpone water-intensive landscaping until spring.
• Winterize your irrigation system. Turn off and drain sprinkler systems, outdoor spigots and hoses.
• Sweep, don’t spray. Use a broom instead of a hose or pressure washer to clear leaves and debris from sidewalks or pavement.
• Use a commercial car wash that recycles water, instead of washing your car at home.

Indoor conservation guidelines:

• Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, shaving or washing dishes in the sink.
• Run dishwashers and clothes washers only when full. If you have a water-saver cycle, use it.
• Take shorter showers. Try to shower in five minutes or less.
• Be a leak detective. Find and fix leaks in hoses, sprinkler systems, pipes and toilets. For help, download New Jersey American Water’s Leak Detection Kit at newjerseyamwater.com under Water Information.
• Insulate exposed water pipes with pre-slit foam insulation to avoid wasting water while it heats up.
• Consider water- and energy-efficient appliances. Products with the EPA WaterSense label are certified to be at least 20% more efficient without sacrificing performance.

“These small but impactful actions are designed to help alleviate stress on water sources and infrastructure. Together, we can make a difference and support the sustainability of our water resources,” said McDonough.

New Jersey American Water has been closely monitoring supply levels in coordination with operation centers across its system. The company does not anticipate a major threat to its water supply and is leveraging redundancies to shift between water sources to provide uninterrupted service at this time. The DEP’s drought warning designation and New Jersey American Water’s mandatory conservation notice prioritize preserving available water supplies to avert more serious shortages.