Lower than average rain totals in the last month has prompted officials to declare a drought watch throughout the state for the first time since 2016.
Locally, Delran Township, and more specifically, the Delran Green Team, has done its part to provide residents with information on how to conserve water, with tips, PSAs and Talks in the Park called “Everything Water.”
“NJDEP monitors drought conditions,” said Green Team Chairwoman Deb Hammond. “Over the last 90 days, rain has been a little low, but it’s been very low for the last 30 days.”
To help residents understand the severity of the drought, the team shared a PSA created by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection on Sustainable Delran’s Facebook page. The post included 10 tips on how to save and conserve water usage.
Advice included using rain barrels to collect water for landscaping and watering flowers, avoiding the use of slip and slides and other toys that need a constant stream of water and incorporating drip irrigation and micro-sprays as opposed to sprinklers.
“Implementing practices which minimize water loss are good to do all the time,” said Hammond. “We pay for water, so it’s important to make sure you’re not wasting water.”
Another important aspect of the Green Team’s effort to conserve water is the Talks in the Park, two of which will be held Thursday and Aug. 24. The latter will include
several Green Team members who will address the community on “drinking water, stormwater, wastewater, rain water and more.”
The talks begin at 7 p.m. at Jake’s Place at Delran Community Park, with a BYO picnic before at 6:30.
