New Jersey in need of soaking rains

The water levels at New Jersey reservoirs including  Monksville Reservoir in Hewitt are still about normal

The water levels at New Jersey reservoirs including Monksville Reservoir in Hewitt are still about normal

Parts of New Jersey are abnormally dry but so far officials aren’t calling for mandatory restrictions on water use.

State climatologist Dave Robinson says rainfall this month in most of New Jersey is half — or less — than the usual amount, but reservoir levels are nearly normal.

“However, the rivers that flow into the reservoirs are much lower than average, and groundwater levels are below average,” Robinson said. “So we’ve got no cushion as we go into the hottest time of the year, and we have the highest amount of water consumption at this time of the year.”

Robinson urged residents to conserve water supplies.

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“If you choose to try to maintain a green lawn, you can use half the water you normally use in watering and keep it green as some studies have shown,” he said. “You don’t water every day. You water early in the morning and give your lawn a soaking.”

Robinson is concerned there could be a drought unless there’s ample rainfall in the next few weeks.

“I’m not wishing us a tropical storm — although the remnants of one that would give the state a good soaking wouldn’t be looked upon too poorly, unless it occurred on the weekend or on a holiday,” he said. “Who knows if that’s in the cards”

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