New Jersey residents asked to voluntarily conserve water

The dry winter and spring have limited water supplies.

Even with some recent rain, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is calling on residents to voluntarily conserve water.

“Overall, our major water supplies, including reservoirs and deep aquifers, remain in good shape,” Commissioner Bob Martin said today in a news release. “But after too much precipitation last year, we’ve now swung in the opposite direction, with months of below normal precipitation. Most concerning is that our stream levels and shallow groundwater supplies are severely stressed. Our goal is to begin moderating demand by asking residents to voluntarily conserve water before peak summer use begins.”

Precipitation deficits across the state range from 5.8 inches in Morris County to 3.2 inches in Cape May County, the DEP reports. The winter had little snow and the spring, until recent days, has been parched.

Martin asks residents to use water "smartly and efficiently" as we go into lawn and garden season, when water use rises.

The DEP suggests these water-saving tips:

• Do not over-water lawns and landscaping. Watering two times per week for 20-30 minutes in early morning or early evening ensures that plants receive the most water while developing strong, healthy root systems. Make sure sprinklers and irrigation systems do not water during or immediately after a rain and are set to avoid wasting water on the street, driveway and sidewalk
• Use a hose with a handheld nozzle to water flowers and shrubs
• Turn off the faucet while brushing teeth and shaving
• To save water in the home, fix leaky faucets and pipes
• Run washing machines and dishwashers only when full
• Install high-efficiency, water-saving toilets, faucets and shower heads
• Use a broom to sweep the sidewalk, rather than a hose
• Use mulch and native plants to conserve water in the garden
• Use a rain barrel to capture water from a downspout to use later for watering gardens and plants
• Use soaker hoses or drip irrigation to water trees, gardens and flower beds

The DEP says more information on water conservation and water supply status in all of New Jersey’s drought regions can be found at www.njdrought.org