Recent rains in N.J. end statewide drought watch

New Jersey's statewide drought watch is over.

State Environmental Commissioner Bob Martin said Tuesday that recent rainfall had replenished groundwater and reservoir levels that were below normal after the unusually hot, dry summer. The statewide drought watch was imposed Sept. 8 by the Department of Environmental Protection and called for voluntary water-use reductions.

Martin said the drought watch would remain in effect for the Coastal North region, which includes nearly all of Monmouth County and northern Ocean County. He said rainfall there had not kept pace with the rest of the state.

Ocean and Monmouth residents are still being asked to limit lawn watering and at-home car washing and to run only full loads in washing machines and dishwashers. - AP