U.S. Water News Online
TRENTON, N.J. -- Water use restrictions have been lifted in parts of New Jersey, but the state remains under a drought emergency.
Restrictions were lifted in northern and central New Jersey but low water levels require that the limits remain in place in South Jersey, said Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bradley Campbell.
While rainfall has increased over the past two months, the statewide rainfall average remains 7 inches below normal for the year, Campbell noted.
``The primary message today is the same,'' Campbell said. ``We must continue to conserve water.''
Campbell said parts of South Jersey, where water is supplied mainly through groundwater aquifers instead of reservoirs, has received less rain that the rest of the state, and the sandy soil in coastal areas also takes longer to recharge groundwater levels.
Campbell wants groundwater levels to recover and the state to find ways to conserve water before the drought emergency is ended.
Jeff Tittel of the Sierra Club's New Jersey chapter said it is important for the emergency to stay in place while the state works on better ways to manage New Jersey's water supply.
``The previous administration ended the drought emergency too soon, and we ju st went from one drought emergency to another without doing any planning,'' Tittel said.
Restrictions still in place in South Jersey bar golf courses from using more than 80 percent of their normal monthly water allocation, limit residential lawn watering to alternate days and permit washing of cars on weekends only.
Campbell also ended the restriction on open fires.
State residents have been asked to continue to voluntarily restrict water usage.
Return to the U.S. Water News Archives page Or Return to the U.S. Water News Homepage
Editor@uswaternews.com
*Your Name:
*Your Email:
*Friend's Email:
Use a comma to separate e-mail addresses:
*Your Comments:
Hi, I thought you might like to read this article.
*Required Fields