Drones are increasingly used in New Jersey to monitor water resources, including reservoirs, rivers, and wetlands, and to assess infrastructure related to water management. American Water, a major water utility, is employing drones for advanced monitoring and research on source water and potential environmental threats according to ROI-NJ. These unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are used for tasks like mapping, inspections, and water quality monitoring, and some research is even exploring underwater drone deployments 

While infrastructure and regulations present real challenges, Cahill emphasized how operators are strategizing around these limitations. For example, when flying from Fairbanks to Nenana with the Sea Hunter, a 300-pound twin-engine drone, operators avoid populated areas, fly at higher altitudes and rely on a chase plane. But Cahill underscored the need for more reliable onboard detect-and-avoid systems to fly these missions safely without additional support. “The issue with Alaska is that our communications infrastructure and radar coverage are far from adequate to support beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations without onboard solutions.” 

Specific uses of drones by the NJDEP include monitoring contained landfills annually for compliance and regularly assessing difficult-to-access hazardous waste sites. The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA) Municipal Drone Program provides drone services to Meadowlands District municipalities for various inspections and assessments, such as ditch and tide gate inspections, coastal berm stability assessments, and post-hazardous event assessments. 

Regulation and Safety:

Drone operations in New Jersey, regardless of purpose, must comply with federal regulations and local laws. The New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (NJOHSP) offers resources and information on drone safety and reporting suspicious drone activity. Due to security concerns, the FAA has placed flight restrictions around specific critical infrastructure, including energy facilities in New Jersey. 

Kentucky’s Energy & Environment Cabinet has significantly boosted efficiency and worker safety by deploying drones across its divisions since mid-2020. In the wake of a mudslide in Pike County that derailed a train into the Big Sandy River, EEC’s Emergency Response Team leveraged drones to safely assess river conditions—something that would have been hazardous and time-consuming via boat. Among their toolkit are high-altitude drones equipped with advanced sensors, aerial units for 3D mapping of abandoned mine lands and bathymetric surveys of reservoirs, and even drone boats to collect water samples in remote areas like Estill County. This smart mix of aerial, aquatic, and imaging tech keeps personnel out of harm’s way while delivering rich data that would have taken crews far longer to capture on foot or by boat.