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New Jersey Towns Mandate Water Cuts Amid Severe Drought
2 Jul
Summary
- Mandatory water restrictions are now in effect for several New Jersey towns.
- Millions of other residents are urged to conserve water due to drought.
- New Jersey American Water issued a mandatory conservation notice in December 2025.
As of July 2, 2026, several New Jersey communities are under mandatory water use restrictions due to persistent drought conditions. Residents in Madison, a borough in Morris County, have been under these orders for two weeks, limiting outdoor watering to specific days and hours. Similarly, Park Ridge and Woodcliff Lake in Bergen County face mandatory restrictions on lawn sprinklers due to limited water capacity.
New Jersey American Water, the state's largest water company, has issued a mandatory conservation notice across all 21 counties, effective since December 2025 following a statewide drought warning. While the company acknowledges it cannot force home conservation, it strongly encourages all customers to reduce water usage. Notices have been sent to coastal areas in Monmouth and Ocean counties to remind summer vacationers and residents to conserve water proactively. The state Department of Environmental Protection also advises all New Jersey residents to reduce their water consumption. Specific conservation tips are being shared to help mitigate the ongoing drought's impact on water resources across the state.
