Mayor Adams declares drought warning, halts aqueduct repairs to conserve water

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, alongside Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala, escalated the city’s drought status to a warning today, amid a prolonged precipitation deficit.

The move comes with a major decision to halt the final phase of the $2 billion Delaware Aqueduct Repair Project, the city’s largest infrastructure undertaking, to preserve water resources from the city’s reservoirs.

The repair project, which would have sealed leaks losing 35 million gallons of water daily, has been paused due to the ongoing dry conditions, which have left the city’s reservoirs critically low. The Delaware Aqueduct, delivering half of NYC’s water supply from the Catskill Mountains, will now resume its flow, reopening four key reservoirs to help mitigate the risk of a severe shortage.

“Today, I’m upgrading our drought watch to a drought warning, pausing our Delaware Aqueduct repair project, and ordering our agencies to immediately implement water-saving measures,” said Mayor Adams. “We need New Yorkers to continue to save water so we can water our parks and fill our pools this summer. New Yorkers always look out for each other. We are resilient and we will get through this together.”

In a coordinated response, city agencies are rolling out immediate water-saving measures. These include suspending street flushing by the Department of Sanitation, scaling back vehicle washing by the NYPD and FDNY, and limiting water usage at city parks and public schools. Public awareness campaigns are also underway to encourage residents to reduce water waste, from shorter showers to limiting toilet flushes.

“We’re activating our drought protocols to conserve water, but we urgently need every New Yorker to join in,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol. “Simple changes like shorter showers or running full dishwasher loads can make a big impact.”

The warning level is the second of three drought stages in New York City. If conditions worsen, the city could escalate to a full drought emergency, which would trigger stricter conservation measures. Meanwhile, with water levels at only 63% capacity in key reservoirs, state officials warn that even greater vigilance is needed.

“This drought warning is a clear reminder that climate change is real and has direct consequences for our daily lives,” said New York State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar. “We must act now to reduce water use, support conservation efforts, and address the root causes of climate change.”

As part of the response, residents are urged to report open hydrants, fix leaks, and be mindful of their water consumption. DEP, which manages the nation’s largest municipal water supply system, continues to monitor the situation closely, with plans to restart the Delaware Aqueduct repairs next year to maintain the city’s water quality for future generations.

With the city already facing wildfires exacerbated by dry conditions, local officials emphasize that conservation efforts will not only secure water for daily use but also reduce the risk of dangerous fires.

“As we deal with this unprecedented drought, let’s all do our part,” said Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi. “By taking small steps now, we can protect our city’s future.”