With precipitation levels at severe lows, a statewide drought may soon force N.J. Gov. James McGreevey to declare an emergency.
Five of the six regions in New Jersey currently have warnings in place. Though neighboring Lawrence Township has a warning, Princeton is in the central region of the state, where a lower grade drought watch is in effect.
But that status could change any day, said David Robinson, New Jersey state climatologist. Where warnings have been issued, they may soon reach a state of emergency.
Robinson explained that such an upgrade is "imminent" because New Jersey is "in the midst of a significant drought."
The difference is not in how much rain has fallen but in the available water resources, Robinson said.
New Jersey's average precipitation has been below normal in 15 of the past 17 months. During those 17 months, total precipitation was 17 inches, or 25 percent below normal. In the last six months, precipitation has been 50 percent below normal.
The state averages 47 inches of precipitation annually.
The reduced precipitation has lowered the reservoir, river and groundwater levels and streamflow. Usually, these levels decrease in the summer and are replenished in the winter, making the current conditions doubly alarming, he said.
Though water restrictions are not yet mandatory in New Jersey, Robinson urged students to take shorter showers and be aware of any leaks in dormitory pipes.
"The only way to minimize the future effects is to relieve our consumption," Robinson said. "We can't make it rain. It is prudent to have warnings and watches in place."
Drought-like conditions and water shortages are likely to persist through May, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's website.
The last drought in this region occurred in the summer of 1999, lasting from April to August, though its severity did not approach the current conditions affecting New Jersey.
Though McGreevey has not declared a drought emergency, "Localized areas may be experiencing supply problems," a spokeswoman at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Pro-tection said.
On Dec. 18, the Delaware River Basin Commission declared a drought emergency, and regions along the Delaware River — which form the border between New Jersey and Pennsylvania — are operating under the commission's drought operation plan.
Bergen, Hudson and Passaic counties declared water emergencies the week of Feb. 18 and mandatory water restrictions are in place.
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