Governor Hochul has issued a drought watch for over 20 New York counties, urging residents to conserve water.

ALBANY, N.Y. — Gov. Kathy Hochul has issued a drought watch for over 20 New York counties after consulting with the State Drought Management Task Force and federal partner agencies.

The State of New York is encouraging residents in affected counties, especially those who are dependent on private groundwater wells, to conserve water when possible during the coming weeks.

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“Even with some recent rain, it wasn’t enough to reduce the dry conditions we’ve seen most of the summer this year,” Governor Hochul said in a statement. “In order to prevent a more severe shortage should conditions worsen, we could see local water restrictions in the Long Island, Adirondack, and Great Lakes regions of the state.”

A watch is the first of four levels of drought advisories — watch, warning, emergency, and disaster. Under a watch advisory, there are no mandatory restrictions.

Counties under drought watch:

ChautauquaClintonErieEssexFranklinGeneseeHamiltonHerkimerJeffersonLewisMonroeNassauNiagaraOrleansOswegoSt. LawrenceSuffolk, WarrenWayneNorthern portion of Cayuga County

Although few public water-supply challenges have been reported, below-normal precipitation during the last three months, low stream flows, and low groundwater levels prompted the state to take precautionary measures. Local water suppliers are encouraged to evaluate current conditions, promote voluntary conservation, and take steps to manage potential risks.

To protect water resources, homeowners are encouraged to: 

Water lawns only when necessary, choose watering methods that avoid waste, and water in the early morning to reduce evaporation and maximize soil hydration;Reuse water collected in rain barrels, dehumidifiers, or air conditioners to water plantsRaise lawn mower cutting heights. Longer grass is healthier with stronger roots and needs less waterUse a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways and sidewalksFix leaking pipes, hoses, and faucetsWash only full loads of dishes and laundryTake shorter showers or fill the bathtub partlyInstall water saving plumbing fixturesDon’t run the tap to make water hot or coldWash cars less frequently

The DEC advises homeowners who rely on well water to:

Check that the well is dry due to drought and no other issues. Sometimes the solution is quite simple, like a broken valve or electrical issue. The only way to definitively tell if a well is dry is to measure the water level in the well.Conserve water year-round to help prevent the effects of drought on water wells.Consider adding a water storage tank to help get through dry periods.Clean or redevelop existing wells.Deepen existing wells or drill a new well. If drilling a new well, properly decommission the old well to protect groundwater quality.

 For more tips on saving water, visit the DEC’s Water Use and Conservation webpage. For more information about drought, visit DEC’s website.

A drought watch has been issued today, Aug. 29, for the following NYS counties: Chautauqua, Clinton, Erie, Essex, Franklin, Genesee, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Monroe, Nassau, Niagara, Orleans, Oswego, St. Lawrence, Suffolk, Warren, Wayne, and northern Cayuga Co. pic.twitter.com/AQlJgeCXUS

— New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation (@NYSDEC) August 29, 2025