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Mayor Eric Adams declared a drought warning Monday — and halted a major aqueduct repair project to preserve the city’s waters supply — as New York City faces the threat of severe water shortages.
Adams also directed city agencies to roll back water usage and urged New Yorkers to voluntarily do the same amid the historic rainfall shortage and dwindling water reserves.
“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.
Pausing the $2 billion Delaware Aqueduct Repair Project allows the city to reopen the aqueduct and resume water flow from four additional reservoirs.
Hizzoner also suggested New Yorkers take shorter showers and stop running water while brushing their teeth to bolster the city’s efforts.
This is New York City’s first drought warning since 2002.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said the entire state is under a drought watch as she issued drought warnings for 15 counties including Bronx, Delaware, Dutchess, Greene, Kings, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester.
“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.