Mayor Adams ends NYC drought watch after heavy rain, conservation

Mayor Eric Adams has officially lifted New York City’s drought watch, marking the end of one of the driest periods in the city’s history. A combination of increased rainfall, melting snowpack in the upstate watershed, and the diligent conservation efforts of New Yorkers has replenished reservoir levels, ensuring a stable water supply for millions of residents.

“Thanks to everyday New Yorkers stepping up to conserve water, and above-average precipitation over the last two months, we are now able to safely lift the drought warning for our city,” said Mayor Adams. “Again, our city has shown its resiliency and ability to come together during difficult times. By working together and heeding officials’ advice, we were able to avoid a much more serious drought emergency. The work of New Yorkers in conserving water these past two months has paid off, and now we can end this historic drought.”

The drought watch, first issued on November 2, escalated to a warning on November 18 as the city grappled with record-breaking dry conditions. Measures to mitigate the crisis included temporarily halting the $2 billion Delaware Aqueduct repair project to optimize water flow. Improved conditions allowed the city to downgrade the warning on December 16, and now, with precipitation levels 20 percent above average in November and December, the drought watch has been fully lifted.

Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) emphasized the strategic planning behind the city’s resilience. “The lifting of the drought watch underscores the critical role of DEP’s strategic planning and adaptive management of New York City’s critical water resources. I’m grateful to our fellow city agencies for their partnership and to all New Yorkers for their conservation efforts, which helped us save water. Let’s continue to use water wisely to ensure the resilience and reliability of the city’s water supply system.”

Recent rainfall, paired with melting snowpack, has replenished reservoirs in the Catskills and Hudson Valley, while strategic decisions by DEP allowed for effective management of the city’s vast water supply system, which serves nearly 10 million people, including 8.3 million in the five boroughs. New York state DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar commended the city’s efforts, stating, “Recent precipitation and the vigilance of New Yorkers who heeded calls to conserve water resources have alleviated dry conditions across the state. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, DEC experts will continue to monitor conditions and work with New York City officials and localities across the state to identify any necessary steps and actions needed to help prevent additional shortages.”

New York City’s water conservation success is longstanding. The city has reduced its daily water demand by 35 percent since its 1979 peak, despite a population increase of over 1 million. Investments in leak detection, automated meter readers, and online monitoring tools have modernized the system, which includes 19 reservoirs, three controlled lakes, and over 7,000 miles of infrastructure connecting the watershed to homes and businesses.

The Delaware Aqueduct repair project, paused during the drought, is expected to resume in the fall of 2025 as DEP continues its commitment to safeguarding the long-term health of the city’s water supply. For now, New Yorkers can take pride in their collective efforts to navigate this historic challenge while ensuring the city’s water remains high-quality and reliable.