NYC placed under drought warning as reservoirs dry up, fire risk high

New York City has been placed under a drought warning, with city agencies now under water restrictions and repairs to the city’s main water aqueduct put on pause as the city’s dry spell continues, Mayor Adams announced Monday.

The city’s water supplies are lower than normal and hundreds of fires have burned in recent weeks as the city is currently experiencing its driest stretch in decades.

The restrictions, meant to curtail more fires and conserve the city’s water supply, will mandate that city and state agencies take actions that mean fleets of LIRR, MetroNorth and MTA trains and buses will be washed less frequently, water in parks will be restricted and the Sanitation Department will suspend street flushing.

The city has also paused the final phase of the $2 billion Delaware Aqueduct Repair Project.

“Our city vehicles may look a bit dirtier, and our subways may look a bit dustier, but it’s what we have to do to delay or stave off a more serious drought emergency,” Adams said at a press conference announcing the change on Monday.

Further restrictions could come if the city enters into a drought emergency, which is the higest of three levels.

“While we cannot make it rain, we can take actions to reduce the risk of drought emergencies in our city,” the mayor said, encouraging New Yorkers to do their part by implementing measures like shorter showers and turning off the faucet when brushing teeth or shaving.

The city is currently experiencing its driest stretch since 1924.

“This drought has come on fast and come on furious,” said Rohit Aggarwala, Chief Climate Officer and DEP Commissioner for the city, adding that reservoirs are nearly 20% below their usual levels and the city needs eight inches of rain to get back to normal.

A drought warning is the second of three levels in the city. The third — and most serious level — is a drought emergency.

Outside of the five boroughs, the New York counties of Delaware, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester are also under a drought warning.

The city announced a drought watch earlier this month, and Adams previously banned city-dwellers from grilling in parks.

Fire department officials said last week the ongoing drought has resulted in 215 brush fires in just two weeks, including that destroyed 4 acres of Manhattan’s Inwood Hill Park last week and another blaze in Prospect Park that will take several seasons to recover.

Officials said that an incoming storm expected to hit Wednesday and Thursday may provide some relief, but reiterated that it still is important to conserve water until the city and state are in the green.

New Jersey declared a statewide drought warning last week, as water levels in the state also dropped and several large wildfires raged.