New York City declares drought watch as water conservation becomes urgent priority

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has declared a citywide drought watch, urging residents to conserve water and directing city agencies to update their water conservation strategies.

The announcement follows a historically dry October, marking the second-longest dry streak since records began in 1869.

“New Yorkers come together in times of crisis, and right now, amidst the dryest spell in recent memory, we need New Yorkers to do just that and conserve as much water as possible,” said Mayor Adams. He emphasized the importance of immediate action to ensure the city can sustain its water supply for essential needs, including maintaining parks and public pools as summer approaches.

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City officials are particularly concerned about the minimal inflow into reservoirs, with October reported as the driest on record. “October was the driest October on record, which has resulted in minimal inflow to replenish the reservoirs,” noted Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. He cautioned that collective efforts from all 8.3 million city residents are vital for conserving this precious resource.

Camille Joseph Varlack, Chief of Staff and Extreme Weather Coordinator, echoed this sentiment, urging residents to implement voluntary water-saving measures now to prevent more stringent restrictions in the future. “Implementing voluntary water conservation measures now can help prevent the need for more stringent restrictions in the future,” she stated.

Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi reinforced the message, stating, “Time and again, New Yorkers’ resiliency shines through the hardest of days. Now, we ask all New Yorkers to step up and do their part to conserve water during this historically dry season, helping us avoid some of the worse impacts of drought.”

To facilitate these conservation efforts, the city recommends simple yet effective measures, such as fixing leaks, taking shorter showers, and only running dishwashers and washing machines when full. “When every New Yorker makes even small changes, like turning off the tap when washing hands, brushing teeth, and doing dishes, we save millions of gallons by the minute,” Joshi added.

As the city navigates this challenging period, it faces additional pressure from ongoing repairs on the $2 billion Delaware Aqueduct Repair Project, which aims to fix a significant leak in the water supply system. The DEP has reported below-average rainfall over the last month, receiving only 0.81 inches of rain in October compared to the historical average of 3.81 inches.

With the potential for escalating water restrictions if conditions do not improve, New Yorkers are urged to take immediate action to conserve water. “As we work closely with DEP to enhance city agencies’ water shortage response plans and ensure a coordinated effort across all levels of government, I want New Yorkers to know we all have a role to play in conserving our city’s water, one of our most precious resources,” said New York City Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol.

Residents can stay informed about conservation measures and explore additional tips by visiting the DEP’s Water Savings Tips website. As the city faces this critical challenge, every drop counts in ensuring New York City’s water supply remains sustainable for future generations.