New Jersey American Water issues water conservation notice

By Alvin Wu
Domestic Affairs
New Jersey American Water issues water conservation notice

Bathroom water conservation tips for renters from New Jersey American Water. NEW JERSEY AMERICAN WATER/Handout

EDISON, N.J., Nov. 23 (ZFJ) — New Jersey American Water issued a statewide conservation notice and asked residents to limit all nonessential water usage on Nov. 13.

This action came immediately after the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) elevated the statewide drought status to a drought warning on Nov. 13, allowing the state government to closely manage water supplies. A combination of high temperatures and low precipitation have contributed to the present dry conditions affecting the whole Northeast and over half of the United States. Officials do not believe the drought will end anytime soon.

The U.S. Drought Monitor map of New Jersey released Thursday, Nov. 21, shows that the southern half of the state is under extreme drought conditions, while the rest of the state is under a severe drought. U.S. DROUGHT MONITOR/Map The U.S. Drought Monitor map of New Jersey released Thursday, Nov. 21, shows that the southern half of the state is under extreme drought conditions, while the rest of the state is under a severe drought. U.S. DROUGHT MONITOR/Map

“We are dedicated to responsible water management and are prepared to support Governor Murphy and the N.J. DEP’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.”

To preserve existing water supplies and avoid a more serious water shortage, the company and state DEP ask residents to adhere to the following water conservation guidelines.

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 - Use a commercial car wash that recycles water instead of washing your car at home.

INDOOR CONSERVATION GUIDELINES

  • TURN OFF THE TAP - 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 and breaks 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 - Insulate exposed water pipes with pre-slit foam insulation to maintain warmth and avoid wasting water while it heats up.
  • CONSIDER WATER AND ENERGY-EFFICIENT APPLIANCES - Products and services that have earned the US EPA WaterSense label have been certified to be at least 20 percent 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 about the water conservation measures for residents.

New Jersey American Water customers can monitor their water usage through their MyWater account. Additional conservation tips can be found at the water company’s website and DEP’s website.

The water company said that it does not anticipate a major threat to its water supply and is using redundancies to shift between water sources to avoid interruptions in service.

New Jersey American Water provides water service to communities in 17 counties.

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