The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection issued a drought watch for northern and central New Jersey despite recent heavy rainfall.

The watch was issued for Bergen, Essex, Hunterdon, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren counties. DEP officials say that this is only an advisory and there are no mandatory water restrictions.

Officials say that even when there is a surge of rain, it is very short-lived and the hot temperatures are causing the water to dry out. Tuesday was the sixth day in a row with temperatures above 90 degrees.

Residents are being asked to voluntarily restrict their water usage by watering lawns less, taking quicker showers and being cognizant when doing dishes and other household tasks.

The state can save millions of gallons of water if people cut back on their water usage by 10 percent, according to the DEP.