HARRISBURG – The Department of Environmental Protection issued a drought watch today for 29 Pennsylvania counties as precipitation deficits continue and stream flow levels fall in the western and north central areas of the state.
Clearfield is one of the 29 counties listed in the watch.
“The commonwealth has received below-normal precipitation over the past two to three months that have resulted in rainfall deficits of as much as five inches in parts of western and north central Pennsylvania,” said acting DEP Secretary John Hanger. “Recent rainfalls have not been enough to bring streamflow and groundwater levels back to normal, so we are asking residents and businesses to conserve water until we get more substantial precipitation in these areas of the state.”
Although conditions are better in the eastern portion of the state, county groundwater well levels have shown signs of stress and conditions are being monitored closely by DEP.
A drought watch declaration is the first level — and least severe — of the state’s three drought classifications. It calls for a voluntary 5 percent reduction in non-essential water use.
DEP will send letters to all water suppliers in the affected counties, notifying them of the need to monitor their supplies and update their drought contingency plans as necessary.
In addition to precipitation totals, DEP monitors groundwater levels, streamflows, soil moisture and water supply storage.
“There are a number of simple steps that homeowners and businesses can take to immediately reduce water consumption without being inconvenienced,” said Hanger. “Hopefully, these conservation measures will allow us to maintain adequate groundwater and streamflow levels as we head into the winter months.”
DEP offers the following tips for conserving water around the home:
In the bathroom:
· Install low-flow plumbing fixtures and aerators on faucets;
· Check for household leaks – a leaking toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water a day;
· Take short showers instead of baths.
Kitchen/laundry areas:
· Replace older appliances with high efficiency, front loading models that use about 30 percent less water and 40-50 percent less energy;
· Run dishwashers and washing machines only with full loads;
· Keep water in the refrigerator to avoid running water from a faucet until it is cold.
The department also offers water conservation recommendations for commercial and industrial users such as food processors, hotels and motels, schools and colleges, as well as water audit procedures for large water customers.
Water conservation tips and drought information can be found online, keyword: drought.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The drought watch covers Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Forest, Greene, Indiana, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Potter, Somerset, Tioga, Venango, Warren, Washington, and Westmoreland counties.
