In response to an unusually dry October, New York City Mayor Eric Adams declared a drought watch Saturday, urging residents to conserve water as the city braces for potential shortages.
With just 0.01 inches of rain recorded in Central Park, far below the average of 4.4 inches, this past month was the driest October in over 150 years, according to the National Weather Service. As an early response to potential water shortages, the drought watch calls into effect measures to prevent the need for more stringent conservation measures.
Mayor Adams addressed New Yorkers through a video posted on social media.
“New Yorkers, today I am declaring a drought watch,” said Adams. October was one of the driest months we’ve had in recorded history, impacting our water. So I’m calling for all of my agencies to come up with their water-saving plans and to start implementing those plans.”
He also called on New Yorkers to limit water use in practical ways: shortening showers, fixing leaky faucets, turning off taps when brushing teeth, and using brooms rather than hoses to clean sidewalks.
“Mother Nature is in charge,” said Adams, “and so we must make sure we adjust.” The mayor also encouraged residents to report water waste, including open fire hydrants or street leaks, citing a recent case of a Brooklyn hydrant leaking long enough to create a local goldfish pond.
Aqueduct Repairs May Put Additional Strain on Water Supply
The drought to watch comes as New York City faces added pressure on its water supply system. Officials are repairing the Delaware Aqueduct, a major water pipeline channeling water from the Catskill region. While this section of the aqueduct is temporarily shut down for maintenance, New York City must rely more heavily on reservoirs in the northern suburbs. These Suburban reservoirs received only 0.81 inches of rain in October, about one-fifth of the usual amount, further straining supply.
Despite the shifts, New York City Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Rohit Aggarwala assured residents that the water would remain safe. However, he warned that some residents with particularly sensitive palates might notice a subtle change in the taste of the water.
“Just as different brands of bottled water taste a bit different, so do our different reservoirs,” Aggarwala said. “And so we want to make clear to you all why and what’s going on, in case people do have concern.”
Widespread Northeast Dry Spell Raises Fire Risk
The dry conditions impacting New York City are part of a broader regional phenomenon. Nearly half of the United States recently experienced a flash drought, a rapid onset of drought due to a combination of low precipitation and high temperatures. In the Northeast, Halloween temperatures rose to the high 70s and low 80s, contributing to a hot end to October.
These dry conditions have significantly impacted water conservation efforts, and shipping along the Mississippi River has also been affected as the dry landscape field wildfires across the Midwest and Eastern states. The National Weather Service issued heightened fire-risk warning for several areas, including Connecticut, where a firefighter recently lost his life battling a brush fire ignited by a poorly extinguished campfire.
Water Use Below Peak Despite Ongoing Concerns
New York City consumes an average of 1.1 billion gallons of water daily, but water conservation measures over the years have decreased the usage by about 35% from its peak in 1979. The city attributes this Improvement to better leak detection and ongoing infrastructure investments.
As New York City officials monitor weather patterns and the state of local reservoirs, Mayor Adams continues to emphasize the importance of collective action in ensuring the city’s water supply. He has made it clear that more extensive conservation measures are prepared if they become necessary.
