Gov. Chris Christie's failure to release an update to the State Water Supply Master Plan is threatening New Jersey's supply of clean, fresh drinking water.
By Jennifer Coffey
New Jersey's water problems are getting worse.
Extreme summer heat has brought strong thunderstorms and flash floods across the state. Despite the flooding, New Jersey has officially entered into another drought watch. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) issued a drought watch on July 25 for 12 counties in the northern half of the State.
A drought watch was also issued last September for half of the Garden State. Although the watch was lifted in the late winter months as reservoirs in norther New Jersey filled up with runoff from precipitation including the blizzard of 2016, the sources of our drinking water never really fully recovered. According to data tracked by the NJDEP, underground sources of water called aquifers, as well as rivers and streams have been ranked as moderately, severely, or extremely dry throughout the spring and summer.
The drinking water problem with severe thunderstorms, flashfloods, and blizzards is that most of the water runs off and out towards the ocean relatively quickly. Refilling the sources of our drinking water requires moderate, steady, prolonged rainfall.
So once again, New Jersey is in a desperate situation of needing to ask citizens and businesses to conserve water.
A drought watch is a formal request from the state to voluntarily conserve water. Some proven water conservation strategies, according to the DEP are posted on njdrought.org:
- Water lawns (and outdoor plants) less frequently (2-3 times per week) for no more than 30 minutes. This allows the soil to absorb the water and enables roots to grow more deeply, which encourages drought tolerance.
- Install water-saving showerheads and faucet aerators in the bathroom and kitchen (available at most home improvement stores and some supermarkets)
- Do not let faucets run when brushing your teeth or washing the dishes
- Use a broom to sweep the sidewalk, rather than a hose.
- Use a rain barrel to capture water from a downspout to use later for watering gardens and plants
If significant amounts of steady rain do not fall soon, the NJDEP could issue a drought warning. A drought warning includes mandatory water restrictions and management.
There is a better way to plan for our water needs. New Jersey's Water Supply Management Act requires that the NJDEP update the Water Supply Plan at least every five years. However, the last update to the plan was in 1996.
Gov. Chris Christie's failure to release an update to the State Water Supply Master Plan is threatening New Jersey's supply of clean, fresh drinking water. On Earth Day 2015, in April, the New Jersey Senate Legislative Oversight Committee held a hearing at which experts testified on the need for an updated Water Supply Master Plan.
The Legislature requested that Gov. Christie release the draft plan immediately, yet amidst a second drought watch, there is still no sign of the plan.
The NJDEP reported to the Water Supply Advisory Council that they have provided an updated plan to Christie. As the watershed representative of the Water Supply Advisory Council, my role is to provide advice and assistance to the DEP on the plan and other policies, as requested. I have never seen the draft plan.
The goal of Water Supply Plan is to ensure that we have enough clean water for residents, business, power production, farming, and the environment for this and future generations. The plan should include recommendations to balance the amount of water we use with the amount of water that replenishes the sources of that water -- our shared streams, rivers and aquifers.
The plan should also layout a pathway to repair or place as needed New Jersey's aging water infrastructure, some of which was constructed pre-Revolutionary War, some of which includes lead, and much of which leaks - up to 60 million gallons of water per day.
New Jersey's water woes are compounded by the fact that business and residents are also using more water than ever, according to estimates released in August 2015 by the United States Geological Survey. Increases in New Jersey's population over the past 10 years are one of the reasons for this increased use.
While we watch the forecast and hope for rain without flooding, residents can learn more about New Jersey's water and how to conserve it at SaveH2ONJ.org, njwatersavers.rutgers.edu, and sjwatersavers.org. SaveH2ONJ is a coalition calling for the release of the water supply plan. More than 3,000 citizens have signed the SaveH2ONJ petition asking the governor to release the plan. ANJEC is proud to work with non-profits, environmental commissions and communities across the state to protect and restore New Jersey's water supply and environment.
Jennifer Coffey is executive director of the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC) and a member of the NJ State Water Supply Advisory Council.
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