The Murphy administration issued a statewide water supply drought warning on Friday, Dec. 5, and is urging residents and businesses to reduce water use as a result of persistent below-average precipitation and deteriorating water supply conditions across New Jersey. This hydrological drought refers to reductions in reservoirs, streams and groundwater, and differs from meteorological drought, which denotes periods of low precipitation and high heat.

The state Department of Environmental Protection is responsible for monitoring and managing water supplies in…