In the sad but true department this summer, whole sections of the Gar­den State are beginning to look like examples of why water has become one of the most critical environmental issues of our time.

Lack of rain has had a dramatic impact on the landscape of the Trenton Diocese. In the words of one colleague, tree leaves – usually so spongy and moist at this time of year in Hightstown where he resides – now “rustle like plastic bags” when you walk past them.

He talked of his beloved garden where the day lilies are dying and the other plants are on the verge.

It’s easy to sympathize with him. Despite the fact that the state hasn’t yet declared a drought emergency, neighborhood after neighborhood reflects the unmistakable signs that we are well on our way.

In my yard, for instance, where many of the plants are treasures that came from the gardens of family and friends, the casualties are mounting: a favorite rambling rose bush by the fence is now just a collection of brown and prickly branches; the day lilies have succumbed to the heat despite watering. The lawn is flat out dead.

The depressing situation has induced a voluntary moratorium on adding any new plants and com­pelled us to carefully monitor the bird baths to make sure the critters survive even if the lilies don’t.

Water levels are dropping in the large lake across the street and in the reservoir which not only provides drinking water to a huge percentage of the area but is a bustling recreation center for the public.

In Monmouth and Ocean coun­ties over Fourth of July weekend, the looming crisis took a more compel­ling turn as thousands of American Water Company customers received multiple recorded telephone mes­sages restricting the use of outdoor water in Monmouth and recommend­ing reduction in Ocean.

With mandatory restrictions likely on the near horizon, it seemed like a good idea to really focus on reduc­ing usage before restrictions become mandatory with the idea that at least you’d be in the conservation groove.

Turning to the Internet for inspira­tion, http://yourgreenfriend.com/5-reasons-to-conserve-water/ seemed a good place to start. Written by a New Jersey conservationist named Irene Green, she outlines the fact that using less water saves money, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, helps wildlife survive droughts, ensures quantities of water for recreation and spares gallons from expensive waste­water treatment.

As Green so correctly points out, every drip that goes down the drain goes straight to a waste water plant for treatment whether it is clean or not.

Another good site, www.conserving-water.com offers a few key ways to conserve which include: fixing all leaks; turning off the water while brushing your teeth, shaving or washing your face – the amount saved, according to the site – could be as much as 100 gallons per year per person; limiting showers to five min­utes saves an estimated 10,000 gallons of water a year in the average home and shorter showers also translate to savings on the energy required to heat the water.

For complete insight on ways to save water, the site to go to is http://www.wa­teruseitwisely.com/100-ways-to-conserve/index.php