History of Drought & Water Consumption - DEP

Environmental Protection


Water Conservation

Historical Drought & Water Consumption Data


New York City Drought Data

Date
Storage
Percentage

1963-65 Drought

Conservation Campaign:
11/1/63

Conservation Ends:
5/1/64

Intense Campaign:
4/1/65

1980-82 Drought

Watch:
10/16/80

Warning:
11/6/80

Emergency
(Stage I):
1/19/81
33%

(Stage II):
4/1/81

(Modified):
5/27/81

Warning
(Downgrade):
1/18/82
<68%

Watch:
11/30/82
51%

Warning:
1/18/82

1985 Drought

Watch:
2/25/85
50%

Warning:
4/3/85
59%

Emergency
(Stage I):
4/26/85
62%

(Stage II):
6/5/85
61%

(Stage III):
7/10/85
55%

Warning
(Downgrade):
11/27/85
63%

Normal:
2/25/86
85%

1989 Drought

Watch:
1/17/89
58%

Emergency
(Stage II):
3/22/89
55%

(Stage III):
5/1/89
71%

Normal:
5/15/89
90%

1991 Drought

Watch:
9/25/91
53%

Warning:
11/8/91
45%

1995 Drought

Watch:
7/5/95
84%

Warning:
9/13/95
58%

Ended:
11/14/95

2002 Drought

Watch:
12/23/01
44.4%

Warning:
1/27/02
41.5%

Emergency
(Stage I):
4/1/02
57.5%

Watch:
11/1/02
68.4%

Ended:
1/3/03
90.4%

2024 Drought

Watch:
11/02/24
65.6%

Warning:
11/18/24
60.1%

Watch:
12/16/24
68.2%

Ended:
1/03/25
75.9%

New York City Water Consumption Data

Year
NYC Consumption
(MGD)*
Per Capita
(GPD per person)**

2023
997.0
120.73

2022
999.0
119.84

2021
979.0
115.62

2020
981.0
111.42

2019
987.4
118.44

2018
1008.0
120.02

2017
990.2
117.35

2016
1002.0
118.22

2015
1009.0
119.15

2014
996.0
118.05

2013
1006.1
119.79

2012
1009.1
120.88

2011
1021.0
123.41

2010
1039.0
127.09

2009
1007.5
123.49

2008
1098.0
134.86

2007
1114.0
137.11

2006
1069.0
131.84

2005
1138.0
140.64

2004
1099.5
136.16

2003
1093.7
135.72

2002
1135.6
141.21

2001
1184.0
147.54

2000
1240.4
154.89

1999
1237.2
155.67

1998
1219.5
155.19

1997
1205.5
155.08

1996
1297.9
168.61

1995
1325.7
173.68

1994
1357.7
179.34

1993
1368.5
182.32

1992
1368.6
184.23

1991
1469.3
199.24

1990
1423.8
194.09

1989
1401.7
190.86

1988
1483.9
201.79

1987
1446.5
197.00

1986
1350.7
184.54

1985
1325.8
182.26

1984
1465.0
202.5

1983
1423.8
198.27

1982
1382.4
194.45

1981
1309.3
184.69

1980
1505.9
212.95

1979
1512.4
212.95

* MGD = Million Gallons Per Day.

** Based on New York City Census population. GPD = Gallons Per Day.