Drought conditions in New Jersey draw inadequate response from officials

As New Jersey faces ongoing drought conditions into January 2025, concerns about water conservation and the state’s preparedness for future challenges are growing.

Despite the mounting evidence of environmental strain, including reduced river flows, stressed groundwater levels, and escalating agricultural difficulties, critics argue that state officials are not taking sufficient action to curb water waste, improve conditions, or address the broader climate crisis that exacerbates the problem.

Due to experience historically low precipitation, above-average temperatures, and deteriorating water-supply conditions, New Jersey is experiencing moderate drought conditions, with some regions facing severe shortages.

The average temperature of the contiguous U.S. (59.0°F) in October was 4.9°F above average, ranking second warmest in the 130-year record and precipitation for the region was 1.21 inches below average, tying for second driest with October 1963.

There are currently ten New Jersey counties with U.S. Department of Agriculture drought disaster designations, according to USDA Farm Service Agency, and 8.8 million residents are in areas of drought, according to the Drought Monitor

The U.S. Drought Monitor reports reduced river and stream flows, particularly affecting areas that rely on surface water for drinking and agricultural purposes. Groundwater levels are also lower than average in several parts of the state, creating additional pressure on the water supply systems that serve millions of residents.

“It is bad enough that the plastics manufacturing industry dumps almost a half billion gallons of wastewater per day into U.S. waterways, and a failure of EPA oversight means that most plants have no limits on the amounts of harmful pollutants they are allowed to release,” said environmentalist Lisa McCormick. “With water levels down and precipitation far below normal, there should be water restrictions and clear, enforceable guidelines for reducing water consumption.”

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has issued statements urging residents to conserve water, yet the state’s response to the ongoing crisis has drawn criticism for being insufficient.

The failure to implement mandatory conservation measures for limiting water use suggests that New Jersey is not doing enough to prevent further strain on its water resources, McCormick said.

While some local municipalities have implemented voluntary water use reductions, critics argue that there has been a lack of coordinated, statewide action to tackle water waste more aggressively.

Outdoor water usage, including lawn irrigation, continued to be a major contributor to water waste into the autumn, and despite recommendations to limit non-essential water use, the state has not introduced strong measures to curb such practices.

“Climate change is driving our record low precipitation and above-average temperature recorded statewide in September and October,” said DEP Commissioner LaTourette said. “This combination of events has resulted in decreased streamflow and groundwater levels, which harms our available water supplies. Taking these measures now and encouraging reduced water use will help provide some measure of protection from the weather uncertainty we face entering winter.”

Environmental advocates point out that there are no statewide mandates for water-efficient landscaping or building practices. In many areas, new developments continue to rely on outdated water management systems that exacerbate the problem.

At a time when water scarcity is becoming a more pressing issue, critics argue that the state is missing opportunities to enact meaningful reforms that could significantly reduce overall water consumption.

The agricultural sector in New Jersey is also feeling the effects of the drought, with farmers struggling to maintain crop yields due to insufficient rainfall and reduced irrigation resources.

While state officials have acknowledged the strain on agriculture, there have been limited efforts to implement large-scale relief measures or to promote more sustainable farming practices that could mitigate the impact of future droughts.

Many farmers are calling for increased investment in water-efficient irrigation systems, as well as support for crops that are better suited to New Jersey’s changing climate. However, the state has yet to provide adequate funding or policy changes to support these transitions. Critics argue that without such measures, New Jersey’s agricultural industry may face even greater challenges in the years to come.

While the current drought is concerning, experts emphasize that it is part of a larger, ongoing trend tied to climate change. Rising temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events are expected to exacerbate drought conditions in the future.

Despite these clear threats, state officials have been criticized for failing to take comprehensive action to address the root causes of climate change and prepare for more severe weather events.

State-level efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions have been limited, and critics argue that New Jersey’s approach to climate change has not been aggressive enough.

There have been calls for stronger policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions, transitioning to renewable energy sources, and investing in climate resilience infrastructure. However, many advocates argue that these efforts remain insufficient in light of the urgent need for systemic change.

The lack of a long-term, coordinated strategy to address both the immediate impacts of drought and the broader issue of climate change leaves New Jersey vulnerable to more frequent and severe droughts in the coming years. While state officials have promised to prioritize climate action, the gap between these promises and meaningful implementation remains a point of contention.

As New Jersey faces an uncertain future with regards to water availability and climate-related challenges, experts and environmental groups continue to call for stronger, more proactive measures.

These include introducing mandatory water conservation practices, expanding investment in water-efficient technologies, and enacting legislation to reduce water waste across sectors.

Additionally, more robust climate action is necessary to mitigate the long-term impacts of climate change and build resilience against future droughts.

With the state’s water resources under increasing pressure, the need for comprehensive, coordinated action has never been clearer, however, mandatory restrictions are not currently in place by the State of New Jersey.

In mid-October, the state issued a Drought Watch following a prolonged period of low precipitation. That was upgraded to a Drought Warning as of November 13, following a public hearing to gauge the severity of water supply concerns.

During a Drought Watch, the Department of Environmental Protection closely monitors indicators, including precipitation, stream flows, reservoir and ground water levels, and water demands and consults with affected water suppliers.

The aim of a Drought Watch—which falls between the Watch and Emergency levels of drought response— is to avert a more serious water shortage that would necessitate declaration of a water emergency, and the imposition of mandatory water use restrictions, bans on water use, or other potentially drastic measures.

However, as of now, many environmentalists remain unconvinced that New Jersey’s leaders are taking the necessary steps to secure the state’s water future or to address the broader, systemic issues driving the ongoing drought and environmental degradation.

In addition to the problem of low water levels, McCormick said that potable drinking supplies are at risk of being contaminated by pollutants.

The plastics industry releases about a half billion gallons of wastewater per day and lacks any EPA standards for many pollutants.

EPA has failed to revise and update federal wastewater limits for chemical plants and plastics manufacturers for over 30 years in violation of the Clean Water Act, despite the fact that pollution control technology that could dramatically reduce pollutants is commercially available.

More than 80 percent of the 70 petrochemical plants making plastics that were examined by the Environmental Integrity Project (EIP) released pollutants into the nation’s waterways that violated their water pollution control permits at least once from 2021 through 2023.

EIP reported that only eight of the 58 polluters were penalized.