By Gus Saltonstall

On Monday afternoon, Mayor Eric Adams officially declared a Drought Warning in New York City for the first time since 2002.

The Drought Warning means that all New Yorkers are now being asked to conserve water, and that city agencies will deploy water-saving protocols.

The new declaration follows an October that was the driest month since records began in the city, and there has been a total of just 8.2 inches of rain since September 1. The city has been under a drought watch since November 2.

New York’s reservoirs are currently 60 percent full, but the number should be closer to 80 percent, according to officials.

The city provides tips for how residents can conserve water, which include shorter showers, running the dishwasher less, not leaving the faucet running, not overwatering plants, and repairing any leaks around the house. You can check out more tips on how to save water — HERE.

Here is what some city agencies will do to conserve water during the Drought Warning:

• DSNY: Suspend street flushing activities.
• NYPD/FDNY: Assist in closing illegally opened hydrants.
• Parks Department: Limit water use for fountains and golf courses, and stop providing make-up water for artificial ponds and lakes, unless they are fish or wildlife habitats.
• NYCHA/HPD: Requesting plumbing leak surveys and completing subsequent repair work.
• MTA: Reduce train washing.

A Drought Warning is a second of three levels of water conservation declarations that the city can make. A Drought Emergency is the final declaration, which would come with even stricter water conservation measures.

The dry conditions have also led to hundreds of brush fires in recent weeks within the five boroughs.

There is rain forecast for Thursday, but no other day in the immediate future.

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