It's now official. The state Department of Environmental Protection has declared a drought warning for 14 New Jersey counties amid massive rainfall deficits and shrinking water supplies.

The warning was issued by DEP Commissioner Bob Martin on Friday, just one day after a public hearing at which a dire drought situation was described by public officials and environmentalists.

Although the drought warning was expected, it is a rare step and gives the DEP greater authority to ensure that water suppliers distribute and transfer enough drinking water to each region of the state, particularly the areas with the lowest supplies.

The drought warning covers Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren counties. A drought watch remains active for Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Salem.

"The situation in our reservoir systems that serve some of the most densely populated regions of New Jersey is becoming more critical, with some systems dropping to half their capacity or less," Martin said Friday afternoon. "Without knowing how much precipitation we are going to get over the fall and winter to replenish our water sources, it is vital that every resident and business step up efforts to voluntarily reduce water use in the hopes of averting a water emergency and mandatory restrictions."

The last time a widespread drought warning was issued in New Jersey was in November 2001, covering 13 counties. That warning was expanded to cover seven additional counties in January 2002 and was followed by a drought emergency declared by then-Gov. James McGreevey in March 2002.

The drought emergency declaration gave the DEP the power to impose mandatory water-use restrictions, and that's what happened from March 2002 through January 2003, when the drought emergency was phased out from region to region, according to DEP records.

Under a drought warning, the DEP cannot impose mandatory water restrictions. However, the agency is strongly urging residents and businesses across the state -- even those who are not in the warning areas -- to voluntarily conserve as much water as possible.

Tips to conserve water

State environmental officials offer these tips to help reduce water consumption:

Homeowners should let their lawns go dormant, which is appropriate at this time of year.

Turn sprinkler systems off automatic timers.

Use a hose with a hand-held nozzle to water flowers and shrubs, or let them go dormant.

Use a broom, rather than a hose, to sweep sidewalks.

Wash vehicles with a bucket and do not run the hose more than necessary, or use a commercial car wash that recycles water. -- To save water at home, fix leaky faucets and pipes. Consider replacing your toilet with a low-flow version; this can save about 11,000 gallons of water per year.

Upgrade your shower head to low-flow versions, which can save about 7,700 gallons per year.

Upgrade your faucets or install faucet aerators; this can save about 16,000 gallons per year.

For more information about the state's water supply status and other details about the drought warning, go to the DEP's drought page at www.njdrought.org.