NJDEP hearing weighs drought warning as reservoir levels and long-term precipitation deficits worsen

Brandon Carino, hearing officer for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Water Supply and Geoscience, opened a Dec. 2025 public hearing to consider developing drought conditions, current water supplies and the possibility of issuing a drought warning for parts or all of New Jersey.

State geologist Steve Domber and state climatologist Dave Robinson reported that water-supply indicators and climatic patterns show sustained deficits. Robinson said the state is roughly 15.54 inches below normal precipitation over the past 15 months and that 13 of the last 15 months were below normal. Domber described reservoir storage that in many regions is well below last year and long-term averages, noting coastal reservoirs have fared better while northern and western parts of the state are among the driest.

Public commenters and water managers urged the DEP to move to a drought warning. ‘‘The Wanaque Reservoir is at 38% and total supply is 44% — I implore you to move to drought warning,’’ said Tim Eustace. Mark Brooks, executive director of the New Jersey Water Supply Authority, said a drought warning would permit reduced passing flows that could assist refilling Round Valley and Spruce Run reservoirs. Several former DEP staff and watershed groups warned reductions in passing flows carry water-quality and ecological risks for affected streams and urged the department to weigh those trade-offs.

Multiple speakers called out outdoor irrigation as a primary driver of summer demand. Former DEP staff member Bob Keskis said much of summer consumption is used for lawn irrigation and asked the department to study how reducing outdoor water use would change reservoir conditions and streamflows. Mara Tippett, executive director of the Raritan Headwaters Association, urged that source-water protection — preserving headwaters, forests and wetlands — be prioritized in drought policy to reduce future emergency restrictions.

Carino closed the hearing without issuing an immediate declaration, saying the department will evaluate submitted oral and written comments as it considers next steps. Written comments were directed to njdrought@dep.nj.gov; the department said the recording and slides will be posted to the DEP drought webpage for public review.

The DEP outlined possible actions it could take following this record: no action; an administrative drought warning, which would enable temporary changes such as modified passing flows, interconnection tests, bulk transfers and other supply-side measures; or, if conditions worsen, escalation to a drought emergency requiring gubernatorial declaration. The department did not announce a timeline for making a decision at the close of the hearing.