Listen to this articleNew Jersey American Water issued a mandatory conservation notice Dec. 5 for all customers across the state.
The move follows the state Department of Environmental Protection’s drought warning earlier that same day.
The Camden-based utility company’s conservation notice asks that customers limit all nonessential water usage.
Guidelines include:
- Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, shaving or washing dishes
- Run dishwashers and clothes washers only when full and use the water-saver cycle if available
- Take shorter showers
- Fix leaks in hoses, sprinkler systems, pipes and toilets. New Jersey American Water offers leak detection help here.
- Insulate exposed water pipes to maintain warmth
- Consider water and energy-efficient appliances
“We’re working closely with state officials and monitoring conditions across our systems, but conservation starts at home,” Ben Morris, vice president of operations for NJ American Water, said in a statement.
“These small but impactful actions not only protect our water supplies but also help customers save money on their water bills,” Morris added.
Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette joined in the call for residents and businesses to conserve water.
“The precipitation and water supply uncertainty we’ve experienced over the past year is a symptom of the impacts of climate change here in New Jersey,” LaTourette noted.
The NJDEP issued a drought watch in October following a prolonged stretch of low precipitation. It was upgraded to a warning Dec. 5, following a public hearing to gauge water supply concerns.
The state registered between 0.4–1.3 inches of rain between Nov. 23–30. The department will issue its next update Dec. 10 or 11, according to its website.
NJ American Water said it does not anticipate a major threat to its water supply.
