With temperatures soaring into the mid-90s this week and Memorial Day weekend marking the unofficial start of summer, New Jersey American Water is urging residents to conserve water as the state continues to grapple with ongoing drought conditions.

The utility company reminded customers that New Jersey remains under a statewide drought warning issued by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, despite some recent rainfall.

“As we head into the summer months, we know our customers are spending more time outdoors and using more water,” said Mark McDonough. “Conserving water is a shared responsibility, and by making small changes, like limiting outdoor watering and using smart irrigation practices, our customers can play an important role in protecting our water resources.”

State officials say New Jersey is still recovering from a significant rainfall deficit that began late last summer and continued through the winter and spring.

“While we saw a little relief over the winter, New Jersey is feeling the effects of nearly two years of below-normal precipitation,” Mikie Sherrill said in a recent state press release. “It is extremely important that all residents and businesses remain mindful of conserving water use going into the late spring and early summer, when demand normally increases.”

New Jersey American Water’s mandatory conservation notice remains in effect statewide as the company works with state and local officials to maintain reliable service during the drought.

The company encouraged residents to reduce outdoor water use through smarter irrigation and landscaping practices. Recommendations include using smart irrigation controllers that adjust watering based on weather conditions, installing rain sensors, and considering drip irrigation systems that deliver water directly to plant roots while reducing evaporation.

Residents are also encouraged to inspect sprinkler systems for leaks or broken heads and avoid overspray onto sidewalks or driveways.

For landscaping, the utility recommends planting drought-resistant and native species, applying mulch to help retain soil moisture, and keeping grass slightly taller — between 2.5 and 3.5 inches — to improve drought resistance.

Officials also advised customers to water lawns only once or twice per week, preferably in the early morning or late evening when evaporation is lower. Watering should be skipped entirely if rain is forecast.

New Jersey American Water said it continues to monitor water supply conditions closely and emphasized that conservation efforts by residents remain critical as summer demand increases.