Drought Conditions Warrant Action
A 15-county drought warning and a statewide drought watch were issued today by Governor Hochul and NYC Mayor Eric Adams. Drought conditions are the result of rainfall shortages and declining ground water levels and streamflow. Unseasonably warm weather has been an additional contributing factor.
The following counties are under a drought warning: Bronx, Delaware, Dutchess, Greene, Kings, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester. A map of New York State drought conditions is available on the DEC website.
Residents in all counties in NYS, especially those dependent on private groundwater levels (e.g., household wells), are strongly encouraged to conserve water as much as possible during the coming weeks.
Watch vs. Warning
There are four levels of State drought advisories: watch, warning, emergency, and disaster. A drought watch means we’re aware of a developing situation. Officials update conservation plans and urge citizens to do the same. In the warning phase, officials begin to take action to avoid or prepare for an emergency. Mandates may be issued to residents and businesses. A drought disaster comes with stricter restrictions and possible federal assistance.
There are no mandatory measures in place for either a drought warning or a watch. Today’s drought warnings do come with intensified voluntary water conservation and local drought contingency plans for public water supplies and industries. Officials noted that this current drought warning will not impact wildfire control measures.
A drought watch was previously issued on November 2 in the five boroughs. NYC agencies have already implemented water saving measures such as suspending cleaning of vehicles and subways.
Recommended Actions
HCP urges members to share this information with their staff and clients.
Homeowners in both the drought warning counties and the drought warning (rest of NYS) are encouraged to do all they can to reduce water use and waste by:
- Reusing water from rain barrels, dehumidifiers, or air conditioners to water plants
- Using a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks
- Fixing leaking pipes, fixtures, toilets, hoses, and faucets and installing water saving devices and fixtures
- Flushing toilets only when absolutely necessary
- Washing only full loads of dishes and laundry
- Turning off water while teeth brushing, shaving, etc.
- Taking shorter showers or partially filling bathtubs
- Avoiding running the tap to make water hot or cold
Additional tips for those with private water wells include:
- Conserving water year-round to help prevent the effects of drought on water wells
- Adding a water storage tank to help get through dry periods
- Cleaning or redeveloping existing wells
- Deepening existing wells or drilling a new well
Always contact a registered water well contractor to discuss appropriate options for your individual situation.
Visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense for more tips on saving water indoors and outdoors. Additional information on water conservation may be found by visiting DEC’s webpage. For more information about drought in New York, visit the Water Use and Conservation webpage.
Wildfire Risk
Our dry weather is continuing to create wildfire risk across the state, and a statewide burn ban is in effect. Leaf burning is prohibited in every county. Note that your area’s burn ban may include outdoor campfires, which are among the top five causes of wildfires.
The Hudson Valley and Long Island fire danger is at “very high” risk; the Catskill, Upper Hudson Valley/Champlain, St. Lawrence, and Leatherstocking areas are “high;” Adirondack, High Peaks, Lake Ontario, and Southern Tier are currently at “moderate.” Updated information about fire risk levels is available on DEC’s Fire Danger Map webpage.