Governor Kathy Hochul has directed the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to expand the drought watch to 30 additional counties, increasing the total number under watch to 50 across the state. This decision follows consultations with the State Drought Management Task Force and federal agencies regarding conditions in regions including the Catskills, Susquehanna, Mohawk/Upper Hudson, Finger Lakes, and Southern Tier.
Residents in affected areas, especially those relying on private groundwater wells, are being asked to conserve water over the coming weeks. “The dry conditions experienced by many regions throughout the summer are continuing into September,” Governor Hochul said. “New York State experts are closely monitoring data and conditions on the ground to safeguard our water supplies and recommend appropriate action, which now includes taking simple steps everyone can do to help conserve water.”
A drought watch is the first of four advisory levels used by New York State: watch, warning, emergency, and disaster. No mandatory restrictions accompany a drought watch at this stage. The newly added counties include Albany, Allegany, Cattaraugus, Columbia, Cayuga, Chemung, Delaware, Dutchess, Fulton, Greene, lower Herkimer, Livingston, Montgomery, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Orange, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Sullivan, Tompkins, Ulster Washington Wyoming and Yates.
“With the expansion to 50 counties now under a drought watch we’re strongly encouraging everyone to do what they can to conserve water at this time. DEC will continue to monitor the conditions and work with our agency partners to ensure the health and safety of New Yorkers,” said DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton.
While public water supply issues have been limited so far despite dry weather patterns over several months leading up to September 2025—marked by low precipitation levels as well as reduced stream flows and groundwater—the state is urging local public water suppliers to assess risks and promote voluntary conservation measures.
The state uses its Drought Index—which factors in precipitation amounts along with reservoir/lake status plus stream flow and groundwater readings—to determine advisories for nine separate drought regions within New York. According to evaluations conducted jointly by DEC and U.S. Geological Survey partners during recent months (DEC Water Use & Conservation), most affected counties have seen below-normal rainfall alongside declining groundwater levels that may not recover soon due to ongoing deficits.
Homeowners are encouraged to voluntarily reduce outdoor water use by following practical tips such as watering lawns only when necessary (preferably early morning), reusing collected rainwater for plants instead of using fresh tap sources; raising lawn mower blades for healthier grass; sweeping rather than hosing down sidewalks; fixing leaks; washing full loads of laundry or dishes; taking shorter showers; installing efficient plumbing fixtures; avoiding running taps unnecessarily; and washing vehicles less frequently.
For more information about how residents can save water or respond if their private well runs dry—including checking for mechanical problems before assuming a well is depleted—visit DEC’s website for guidance or contact a registered contractor if needed.
