The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has elevated Nassau and Suffolk counties from Drought Watch to Drought Warning due to a shortage of rainfall and declining levels of streamflow and groundwater. The action was taken after consulting with the State Drought Management Task Force and federal partner agencies. New York State is encouraging residents in affected counties to conserve water whenever possible.
Long Island is seeing a deficit of 4 inches of rain over the past three months and 9 inches over the past six months. Stream flows and groundwater levels are declining in certain areas and the near-term forecast suggests a minimal likelihood of significant relief from the dry conditions. The upcoming forecast for Long Island is 0.5-0.6 inches of precipitation through next Thursday. The 6-14 day outlook shows an equal chance of wet, normal and dry conditions with warm temperatures being more likely than usual. Average May precipitation for the Islip National Weather Service site on Long Island is 3.3 inches. The total of month-to-date observed and 7-day forecast precipitation would trend towards a monthly deficit for May of 1.0-1.5 inches. This follows an April deficit of 1.9 inches.
“Monitoring drought conditions to protect Long Island’s aquifer is critically important to ensuring the health and economic well-being of communities across Nassau and Suffolk,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “We ask all Long Islanders to take simple, voluntary steps to conserve water in homes and businesses to help us protect the water supply.”
A warning is the second of four levels of State drought advisories, which are watch, warning, emergency and disaster. There are no mandatory restrictions under a drought warning. Under a drought warning, voluntary water conservation is intensified, and public water supplies and industries are advised to update and implement local drought contingency plans. Local agencies make plans in case of emergency declaration. New York State encourages ongoing water conservation to ensure adequate supply for all emergency uses.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “Dry conditions and below-normal precipitation on Long Island have prompted DEC to follow Governor Hochul’s directive to take precautionary actions and issue a drought warning in Nassau and Suffolk counties. DEC experts continue to monitor conditions and coordinate closely with the State Drought Management Task Force. We are encouraging all Long Islanders to practice water conservation to protect the region’s valuable sole source aquifer water supply.”
To protect water resources, New Yorkers are encouraged to voluntarily reduce outdoor water use. Property owners in Nassau and Suffolk counties, particularly those dependent on private groundwater wells, are encouraged to help prevent worsening conditions during the coming weeks by following tips to reduce water use whenever possible.
