Due to unprecedented statewide dry conditions and rapidly worsening water supply indicators, including severely depleted groundwater levels and streamflow, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.At the hearing, State water supply officials will publicly review the circumstances and solicit comments from water providers and members of the public. Thereafter, DEP will determine whether to declare a Water Supply Drought Warning.
In mid-October, following a period of prolonged dry conditions, DEP declared a Water Supply Drought Watch. In determining whether to elevate water supply concern status from Watch to Warning, State law requires a public hearing to aid DEP’s consideration of whether a potentially critical water supply situation exists across all of New Jersey.
Importantly, there are different types of drought. Meteorological drought refers to periods of low precipitation and high heat, like New Jersey has been experiencing for two months. A hydrological or water supply drought refers to reductions in water supplies, like reservoirs, streams, and groundwater. DEP is responsible for monitoring and managing water supplies in collaboration with public and private water providers. A water supply drought determination is based upon a lack of precipitation, rapidly declining storage in the combined capacity of major surface water supply reservoirs, and/or severely depleted ground water levels and streamflows.
The public hearing will be held virtually, via Microsoft Teams, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, November 12 to assess the severity of current conditions and to examine and discuss all available water supply management options.
A DEP Hearing Officer will conduct the public hearing. The DEP and all interested people will have an opportunity to present and submit information in support of or in opposition to this matter.
During the past four months, New Jersey has experienced significantly below-average rainfall, which has contributed to diminished streamflow, reservoir and groundwater levels. As a result of worsening water supply storages, the public is strongly encouraged to continue practicing wise water usage and voluntary water conservation at this time.
Public Hearing Structure
At the public hearing, DEP officials will gather input concerning the severity of the situation, its impact on regional water supplies, and all available options that may be considered or implemented in an effort to avert a water emergency. If a Drought Warning condition may become necessary and appropriate, such a designation would call upon water suppliers, or those with the capability to supply water, in designated area(s) to reduce the likelihood of a water emergency.
If the DEP determines after the public hearing that a Drought Warning is necessary, the DEP Commissioner may order any or all of the following:
• Temporary modification of water allocation permits (i.e. passing flow modifications
or reservoir releases);
• Development of alternative water supplies where possible;
• Interconnection tests by public water systems;
• Bulk transfers of water between water systems;
• Any other modifications or measures deemed appropriate to ensure adequate water
supply.
As outlined in the recently adopted 2024 New Jersey Statewide Water Supply Plan, our changing climate is impacting New Jersey’s water supplies. Recent years have shown a trend of increasingly intense rainfall events followed by periods of little or no rain. With the increased uncertainty posed by these weather patterns, it can become challenging for water supply managers to ensure the availability of water resources during dry periods.
Public hearing attendees must email the DEP at NJDROUGHT@dep.nj.gov for meeting credentials, including their name, phone number and affiliation.
Any person may submit written comments on this issue on or before Tuesday, November 12, 2024 via email to NJDROUGHT@dep.nj.gov or by mail to Brandon Carreno, Hearing Officer, NJDEP-Division of Water Supply, Mail Code 401-04Q, PO Box 420, Trenton, NJ 08625.
For a list of Frequently Asked Questions about droughts, visit dep.nj.gov/drought/faq/
For further information on water restrictions and conservation, visit dep.nj.gov/drought/current-conditions/