October 7, 1999

For release at your earliest convenience

For further information, please contact Stephen Mountain at 543-4555 or Katie Porter at 543-4003

The Mendham Township Committee has removed the water emergency for Mendham Township. The mandatory restrictions on water usage that have been in effect since July are no longer in force, but residents are urged to continue voluntary water conservation.

Mayor Kathryn Porter stated "while reservoir and stream flows have been restored, the storms of the past few months have still not fully replenished groundwater levels. Since fall is typically a drier season, people should continue to conserve water wherever possible."

The drought conditions, which began in the summer of 1998, has left water levels approximately 8 inches below the normal for the period from July 1, 1998 to September 23, 1999.

At the time the Township declared the water emergency, streamflows and reservoir levels were at record lows following the long rain deficit and the exceptionally hot, dry early summer.

Over the past five weeks, the greater Morris County area has already received over 12 inches of rain. Normal rainfall for the period is around 4 inches.

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