NYC under drought warning as dry streak continues
NEW YORK -- New York City and 10 other counties in the state have declared a drought warning.
The Big Apple had previously been under a drought watch.
New Yorkers are being asked to voluntarily conserve water.
"We're asking New Yorkers to do their part as well whenever and wherever possible," Mayor Eric Adams said.
The warning applies to New York City as well as Delaware, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties.
Reservoirs are way down
Wildfires are just one of the many consequences of the drought. Reservoir levels are down to 60%. They are usually at 79% at this time of year.
During a drought warning, voluntary water conservation is intensified. Every agency in New York City is responding to the call for conservation, including reducing the amount of washing of city vehicles. For example, the Sanitation Department suspends street flushing. The NYPD and FDNY will shut illegally opened hydrants. NYCHA buildings will restrict lawn watering and request plumbing leak surveys, as well as install low-flow devices.
New Yorkers are asked to report open hydrants and leaks to 311. Officials say New Yorkers can help conserve water by taking shorter showers and avoiding running the tap while shaving or brushing teeth, among other steps. Small things can go a long way: Use a broom, not a hose, on sidewalks, and wash only full loads of dishes and laundry. The city has provided a number of water-saving tips you can check out here.
"Our city vehicles may look a bit dirtier, and our subways may look a bit dustier, but it's what we have to do to delay or stave off a more serious drought emergency. We need New Yorkers to continue to save water too, so we can water our parks and fill our pools this coming summer. New Yorkers always look out for each other. We are resilient and we will get through this together," Adams said.
It has been 22 years since the last serious drought hit the city. Some believe conserving water won't be enough because of what the city calls an age of extreme weather.
"In the 1970s and 80s, in terms of heat, we would see about 12 days on average with temperatures above 86 degrees. The last couple of years, last few years, we're close to 30 days a year with those types of temperatures," said Zach Iscol, commissioner of New York City Emergency Management.
Three tiers of drought response
A drought warning is the second of three tiers of drought response: Watch, warning, and emergency.
Under an emergency, water shortage rules are enforced, restaurants can't serve water unless specifically asked, and there would be no watering of golf courses and athletic fields, and more.
The move comes as the Tri-State Area copes with a record-breaking dry streak without significant rain. October was the driest month on record for New York City after 29 days without measurable rainfall.
The longest streak without rain was in 1924 and lasted 36 days.
The city and surrounding areas have been coping with wildfires that the lack of rain has made possible. That includes recent brush fires in parks in Inwood and in Prospect Park, as well as the ongoing Jennings Creek wildire north of New York City. The FDNY says it has had to fight 300 brush fires in the last month alone, and that requires water, too.
