TRENTON - Due to persistent statewide dry conditions and worsening water supply indicators, including severely depleted groundwater levels and stream flows, the Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled a virtual public hearing for 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4, to determine whether to declare a Water Supply Drought Warning. At the hearing, state water supply officials will publicly review water supply conditions and solicit comments from water providers and members of the public.
Following a period of prolonged dry conditions, the DEP on Oct. 1, declared a statewide Water Supply Drought Watch. In determining whether to elevate the water supply status from Watch to Warning, the state requires a public hearing be held to aid the DEP’s consideration of declaring a Drought Warning.
Drought Types
There are different types of droughts. Meteorological drought refers to periods of low precipitation and high heat. A hydrological or water supply drought refers to reductions in water supplies, like reservoirs, streams, and groundwater. The DEP is responsible for monitoring and managing water supplies in collaboration with public and private water providers. A water supply drought determination is based upon a lack of precipitation, rapidly declining storage in the combined capacity of major surface water supply reservoirs, and/or severely depleted ground water levels and stream flows.
During 13 of the last 15 months, New Jersey has experienced significantly below-average rainfall, which has contributed to diminished stream flows, reservoir levels, and groundwater levels. As a result of worsening water supply storage, the public is strongly encouraged to continue practicing wise water usage and voluntary water conservation.
Public Hearing Details
At the public hearing, the DEP will gather input concerning the severity of the situation, its impact on regional water supplies, and all available options that may be considered or implemented in an effort to avert a water emergency. The hearing will help the DEP to assess the severity of current conditions, and to examine and discuss all available water supply management options.
The public hearing will be held via Microsoft Teams at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 4. Attendees must email the DEP at [email protected] for meeting credentials and a Teams link. They must provide their name, phone number and affiliation.
A DEP Hearing Officer will conduct the public hearing. The DEP and all interested people will have an opportunity to present and submit information in support of or in opposition to this matter.
Information on a Drought Warning
If a Drought Warning condition may become necessary and appropriate, such a designation would compel water suppliers, or those with the capability to supply water, to take action as directed by DEP to reduce the likelihood of a Drought Emergency.
If the DEP determines after the public hearing that a Drought Warning is necessary, the Commissioner of the DEP may order any or all of the following:
Any person may submit written comments on this issue on or before Thursday, December 4, 2025, via email to [email protected] or by mail to Brandon Carreno, Hearing Officer, NJDEP-Division of Water Supply, Mail Code 401-04Q, PO Box 420, Trenton, NJ 08625.
Drought and Climate Change
As outlined in the 2024 New Jersey Statewide Water Supply Plan, our changing climate is impacting New Jersey’s water supplies. Recent years have shown a trend of increasingly intense rainfall events followed by periods of little or no rain. With the increased uncertainty posed by these weather patterns, it can become challenging for water supply managers to ensure the availability of water resources during dry periods.
For a list of Frequently Asked Questions about droughts, visit dep.nj.gov/drought/faq/
For further information on water restrictions and conservation, visit dep.nj.gov/drought
