Click here for more coverage on the Delaware Aqueduct reopening from the River Reporter. 

NEW YORK CITY, NY – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala today elevated the citywide drought watch to a drought warning and paused the final phase of DEP's largest-ever infrastructure repair project – the $2 billion Delaware Aqueduct Repair Project – amid a historic and continued precipitation shortage. As such, Mayor Adams ordered city agencies to implement a range of drought protocols to conserve water and reminded New Yorkers to continue to do their part in saving water wherever possible. Pausing the repair project will allow the city to reopen the aqueduct soon, restarting the flow of water from four additional reservoirs. Conserving water will slow the depletion rate of the stored water in city reservoirs and can potentially postpone or eliminate the threat of a serious shortage. Mayor Adams and Commissioner Aggarwala first issued a drought watch back on November 2.

"As our city and watershed continues to experience significant precipitation shortages, today, I'm upgrading our drought watch to a drought warning, pausing our Delaware Aqueduct repair project, and ordering our agencies to immediately implement water saving measures," said Mayor Adams. "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. We need New Yorkers to continue to save water too, so we can water our parks and fill our pools this coming summer. New Yorkers always look out for each other. We are resilient and we will get through this together."

"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," said New York Governor Kathy Hochul. "Across the state, local water restrictions and educating New Yorkers about how to help conserve water resources are crucial steps to help prevent a more severe shortage until conditions improve."

"We have emphasized the importance of treating the drought watch with seriousness and encouraging all New Yorkers to conserve water whenever possible. As we enter the warning level, the need for vigilance and conservation becomes even more crucial," said Chief of Staff and Extreme Weather Coordinator Camille Joseph Varlack. "City agencies will now begin to implement their respective drought protocols and water conservation measures. As we continue to monitor this situation, we ask all New Yorkers to double down on their efforts to conserve water."

"The fires that have burned from Brooklyn to the Bronx are a stark reminder that extreme weather knows no boundaries – but neither do New Yorkers. Time after time, New Yorkers step up to help each other and our city, and today's drought conditions are no different. By taking water-savings steps now, like shorter showers, we are protecting our city in the most fundamental way," said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. "For the city's part, we are putting immediate water-saving measures into effect across city operations and made the difficult but necessary decision to pause our Delaware Aqueduct Repair Project."

"The ongoing and historic lack of rainfall, both in the city and in the upstate watershed where our reservoirs are located, has become more critical," said New York City Chief Climate Officer and DEP Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. "Our city agencies are leading by example in finding innovative ways to save water every day. Now we need the public to do the same so that we can avoid banning things like watering lawns and filling up swimming this spring."

"Our city is facing an unprecedented and historic drought, and New York City Emergency Management is supporting City Hall and the Department of Environmental Protection in mobilizing a strong response among our partners and agencies," said New York City Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol. "With the drought watch now elevated to a warning, city agencies are activating enhanced drought protocols and conservation measures, and we urgently need every New Yorker to join these efforts. By making simple but impactful changes, such as taking shorter showers, running dishwashers and laundry machines only with full loads, and spreading the message about water conservation, you can play a vital role in protecting our city's essential water supply. We're calling on all residents and businesses to redouble their conservation efforts and help safeguard our water resources during this critical period."