5/21/2006, Herald News

Drought watch is imminent, state says

By ALEX NUSSBAUM
STAFF WRITER

State officials expect to issue a drought watch in the next few days, appealing for water conservation as a hedge against sagging rainfall and reservoir levels.

"The indicators are all trending downward," Mark Mauriello, an assistant state environmental commissioner, said Thursday. "Our concern is public awareness. There are things that people could do voluntarily" to cut water use.

A drought watch, the state's lowest alert level, imposes no mandatory restrictions. It's the state's plea for the public to take relatively simple steps, such as not watering lawns every day, fixing leaky faucets and washing only full loads of laundry.

The caution comes after New Jersey's driest March in 101 years of record-keeping -- less than an inch of rain and snow fell last month. Pennsylvania issued its own drought watch 10 days ago.

Since mid-February, precipitation in New Jersey has been about half what was expected, said state climatologist David Robinson.

Officials with the Wanaque Reservoir system said their supplies were in good shape, with the Wanaque and Monksville reservoirs 89 percent full. The average for April is 93 percent.

But the reservoirs have been drawing down at a time when they're usually filling up. The trend is the same, according to the Department of Environmental Protection, at Bergen County reservoirs and other systems in Passaic and Morris counties. Streams and groundwater supplies are also running lower than normal.

"We are hoping for the best right now but preparing for the worst," said Pen Tao, the hydrologist for the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission, which runs the Wanaque system.

The National Weather Service's forecast calls for rain through Monday, with up to 2.5 inches expected this weekend. But Mauriello said the state doesn't want to rely on that.

"It may not happen, and it may not make enough of a difference," he said.

The paperwork for a drought watch is being completed, and a formal announcement could come within days, Mauriello said.

The next step up from a watch would be a drought warning. That would allow the DEP to order utilities to share water and to tap alternative sources, such as lakes and streams. If that didn't work, the governor could declare a drought emergency, allowing the state to ban certain uses, a move last taken in 2002.

The drought announcement came at a state Senate hearing on a proposed water tax, included in Governor Corzine's budget plan, that would charge 4 cents for every 1,000 gallons used. State officials estimate it would raise the bill of the average New Jersey household by $3.20 a year.

Supporters of the tax -- including environmentalists, public water utilities and Highlands property owners looking for a state buyout -- said it would help New Jersey prepare for future dry spells.

The sticking point among supporters is how to divvy up the nearly $120 million that would be raised by the tax. Corzine's plan would devote three-quarters to infrastructure improvements, especially those that allow separate water systems to share during emergencies.

That could help fund a planned $150 million expansion of the Central Jersey utility that includes Round Valley Reservoir. Wanaque Reservoir managers say that's important because the system could be tapped by North Jersey.

Others, however, want the tax dedicated to preserving land around water supplies, especially rivers and reservoirs in North Jersey's Highlands. The state declared much of that region off-limits to development in 2004, citing the need to protect drinking water.

Local officials say that has drained property values in the area. The water tax could begin to compensate those landowners, freeholders from Warren and Hunterdon counties told the Senate panel.

"In a nutshell, if you want the water, pay for it," said Nancy Palladino, director of the Hunterdon Freeholders Board.

Outright opposition to the tax came from an association of privately owned water utilities. Although the impact might be minimal for the average household, businesses could pay "tens of thousands" more, said Edward Rapciewicz, a vice president with Hamilton-based Aqua New Jersey. It's already too expensive to do business in New Jersey, he warned.

State Sen. Anthony Bucco, a Morris County Republican, also blasted the plan. There's no guarantee that Democrats won't divert the money to "pork barrel" projects and other spending, he said in a statement after the hearing.

"We are fast coming to a point in this state where even our kitchen faucets are a source of revenue for the overflowing Democrat tax trough," he said.

But state Sen. Bob Smith, who heads the Senate Environment Committee, said water systems need the investment. "If we don't have clean water and an adequate water supply, no business is going to stay in New Jersey," said Smith, a Piscataway Democrat.

Tips for saving water

· Test for a leaking toilet by adding food coloring to the tank. If any color appears in the bowl after a few minutes, the tank has a leak.

· Use water-conserving plumbing fixtures and water-flow constrictors on sinks and showers.

· Run dishwashers and wash clothes only when there is a full load.

· Take short showers instead of baths. Baths can use 30 to 50 gallons of water. Showers can use 5 gallons per minute or less with water constrictors.

· Check meters while no water is being used. If dials are moving, there is a leak.

· Don't run water continuously when washing dishes, brushing teeth, washing hands and face or shaving.

· Avoid using garbage disposals, which use a great deal of water.

· Choose plants that are native to the area or plants that are drought-resistant for landscaping and gardens.

· Water lawns and gardens during the coolest part of the day.

· Use a bucket of water and a spray head on the hose to wash cars. A running hose wastes 100 gallons of water in the time it takes to wash the car.

May 9, 2006, Herald News

State announces drought watch
By ALEX NUSSBAUM
STAFF WRITER
New Jersey declared a drought watch on Monday and urged residents to conserve water in the midst of an unusually parched spring.
Though reservoir levels remain normal in North Jersey, stream flows have been "extremely dry," the Department of Environmental Protection said. Stream levels, groundwater and precipitation have been low across the state.
"Before demand peaks, we are asking every resident to help avert a possible water crisis," DEP Commissioner Lisa Jackson said. "Right now, we have enough water to use, but not enough to waste."
The drought watch carries no mandatory restrictions, but cautions people to cut down on water use. If water supplies decline, the state could force utilities to share water or take other steps to head off a deeper shortage.
Statewide, rain and snowfall levels were below average each of the last three months.
Among the DEP's conservation tips:
· Limit lawn watering to twice a week, preferably in the morning or evening to reduce evaporation.
· Fix leaking faucets and pipes. Turn off the faucet while brushing teeth or shaving.
· Turn off faucets when not in use.
· Install water-conserving faucets and shower heads.
· Run washing machines and dishwashers only when full.
To prevent brush fires, the state also banned campfires in North Jersey unless they use a steel, stone, brick or concrete fire ring.

"Before demand peaks, we are asking every resident to help avert a possible water crisis," DEP Commissioner Lisa Jackson said. "Right now, we have enough water to use, but not enough to waste."
The drought watch carries no mandatory restrictions, but cautions people to cut down on water use. If water supplies decline, the state could force utilities to share water or take other steps to head off a deeper shortage.
Statewide, rain and snowfall levels were below average each of the last three months.
Among the DEP's conservation tips:
· Limit lawn watering to twice a week, preferably in the morning or evening to reduce evaporation.
· Fix leaking faucets and pipes. Turn off the faucet while brushing teeth or shaving.
· Turn off faucets when not in use.
· Install water-conserving faucets and shower heads.
· Run washing machines and dishwashers only when full.
To prevent brush fires, the state also banned campfires in North Jersey unless they use a steel, stone, brick or concrete fire ring.