New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Monday issued the first drought warning in 22 years amid historically low rainfall and warm temperatures. New York City departments will take steps to prevent drought conditions from worsening, the mayor's office said, such as limiting water use in park fountains and golf courses, fixing plumbing leaks, and restricting lawn watering. Public transit will also be washed less frequently.
"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. New York City officials will also pause the final phase of a $2 billion repair project of the Delaware Aqueduct so it can be reopened and used, bringing in water from four reservoirs. The 86-mile aqueduct delivers about half of the city's water supply, according to the mayor's office.
Also on Monday, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a statewide drought watch , urging residents to conserve water in the coming weeks. Fifteen counties were under a drought warning.
"Recent unseasonably warm weather and lack of precipitation have led to dry conditions for many counties in New York, resulting in Hudson Valley and New York City area counties being elevated to drought warning status and a statewide drought watch," Hochul said. An unusually dry October has fueled drought conditions across the nation. According to the U.
S. Drought Monitor , about 41% – or 149 million Americans – are und.
