The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has issued a Drought Warning for the following 14 counties: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren.

The Drought Warning designation is an exercise of the DEP’s non-emergency authority and aims to reduce the likelihood or severity of an impending water shortage and/or water emergency. Under a Warning, the DEP may direct actions to be taken by water suppliers that seek to preserve and balance water supplies in the affected region(s).

During this period of diminished rainfall and lower reservoir storage levels, New Jersey American Water encourages its customers to use irrigation conservation measures and begin using an odd/even schedule for outdoor watering.

“With our customers’ cooperation in conserving water, we can continue to effectively manage our supplies to meet our customers’ needs,” said Kevin Kirwan, vice president of Operations.

New Jersey American Water will continue to provide regular updates regarding any additional conservation measures, as well as the overall supply status.

More water conservation tips are available at the New Jersey American Water website at Wise Water Use.

New Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.7 million people. American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. Marking its 130th anniversary this year, the company employs more than 6,700 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 15 million people in 47 states and Ontario, Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.