Union County has moved from a drought warning to a drought watch.
DEP encourages a voluntary water use reduction of five percent.
“Residents may wonder why some counties on drought watch haven’t been returned to normal status,” said DEP Acting Secretary Patrick McDonnell.
“Although recent rainfall has, in the short term, put stream flows at normal or even higher than normal levels in these counties, groundwater levels have been lingering below normal.
DEP suggests several steps citizens can take to voluntarily reduce their water use: • Run water only when necessary.
Don’t let the faucet run while brushing your teeth or shaving.
• Run the dishwasher and washing machine only with full loads.
• Check for household leaks.
A leaking toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water each day.
• Install low-flow plumbing fixtures and aerators on faucets.