People notice drop in reservoir levels around NJ; water companies say no impact to service
Water companies like Veolia North America and New Jersey American Water say there are no service disruptions at this time.
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New Jersey residents are seeing the effects of the drought across the state. Reservoirs are suffering from the lack of rain and people are noticing.
"It's pathetic, it's really scary. It really is," said Maggie Salerno of Roseland.
"We were here a few weeks ago and has horribly diminished," said Sharon Keigher of West Orange.
The water level is much lower at the Orange Reservoir in the South Mountain Reservation.
"You can see rocks, you can see the water is only an inch or two deep, you can see the dirt and unfortunately you can see the garbage," said Roni Chasin of West Orange.
"It's very dry you can walk across it," said Ken Javerbaum of West Orange. "And the shoreline is extended out."
The Manasquan Reservoir is usually at 68% capacity this time of year. Today it's at 55%.
The Boonton Reservoir has a new rocky shoreline which would normally be under water.
Water companies like Veolia North America and New Jersey American Water say there are no service disruptions at this time. The State Climatologist says it's not unusual for water capacity to drop in October but the steep trajectory of water loss is concerning.
"If we don't start seeing those reservoirs fill up as we get toward early and mid winter that's when we're going to have concerns about next growing season," said NJ State Climatologist David Robinson.
All of New Jersey is in a Drought Watch which calls for voluntary water conservation. If the state moves into a Drought Warning, that would mean mandatory water restrictions.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Drought Watch
