New York City has issued its first drought warning in 22 years after months of poor rains. New York City is restarting a defunct water pipeline to deliver drinking water due to water shortages, AP reported Monday. New Yorkers are being asked to endure worsening conditions and take fewer showers as they grapple with the worst drought in more than 20 years, the times of London reported.
New York Mayor Eric Addams announced Monday that the city’s drought warning system has been upgraded from a “Drought alert” to a “Drought warning”, the New York Times reported, the worst third-tier“Drought Emergency” is just one step away. When the government declares a“Drought emergency,” the city will impose mandatory water restrictions, including possible fines.
November 13, local time, New York Ashoken Reservoir. Because of the drought, the water level in the J?sh? Reservoir system that supplies New York City is only 63 percent below the normal 79 percent.
New York City had its driest month on record last month, according to the National Environmental Information Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Bloomberg reported, from Sept. 30 to Oct. 28, there was no measurable precipitation for 29 days. In terms of duration, it was second only to the 36-day drought of 1924, which spanned October and November.
In addition, New York City’s Prospect Park and the northern part of the Jennings Creek Park area around a number of bush or wildfires. More water is needed to put out these fires, making the city’s current drought situation even worse. The Associated Press said List of Governors of New York Cathy Hochul had also declared a New York State drought warning, urging residents to conserve water as much as possible.
New York City officials say the city’s reservoirs, which normally hold about 79 percent of their water at this time of year, have fallen to about 60 percent of their capacity, and are not expected to receive enough rain to replenish them in the coming days.
Although the current level of warning does not require the government to impose water restrictions, officials in New York have begun urging residents to take various measures to save water.
“Our public vehicles may look a bit dirty [ for some time to come ] and our subways may look a bit dusty, but this is something that has to be done now to delay or avoid a more severe drought emergency,” Addams said at a press conference on the 18th
Addams also advised New Yorkers to start water-saving habits, such as showering faster and brushing their teeth with the tap off, to help the government cope with the drought.
The New York Times said the city had temporarily halted work on the Delaware Aqueduct, which would have required the closure of an important pipeline that supplies water to the city. Access to the water supply to four major reservoirs had to be suspended following the commencement of rehabilitation work in early October. After the suspension, the four reservoirs will be able to re-supply New York City with water.