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The Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) has declared a
drought watch for Pike County, following a meeting
Wednesday of the Commonwealth Drought Task Force.
“We’re asking residents and businesses, particularly
in central and eastern counties, to use water wisely
and follow simple water conservation tips to ease
the demand for water,” said DEP Acting Secretary
Patrick McDonnell. “We suggest that public water
systems that implemented water restrictions this
summer continue them to preserve their drinking
water supplies.”
Data from the Commonwealth drought monitoring
network show that dry conditions persisting in the
middle of the state and lack of precipitation in the
eastern part of the state have deepened
precipitation deficits, resulting in extremely low
stream flow and groundwater levels, particularly in
the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas in the
Delaware River Basin.
• Drought warning: Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe,
and Northampton Counties. Citizens are encouraged to
voluntarily reduce their water use by 10-15 percent.
• Drought watch: Adams, Bedford, Berks,
Bucks, Centre, Chester, Clinton, Cumberland,
Dauphin, Delaware, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon,
Juniata, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lebanon, Luzerne,
Mifflin, Montgomery, Northumberland, Perry,
Philadelphia,
Pike,
Schuylkill, Snyder, Sullivan, Union, Wayne, and York
Counties. Citizens are encouraged to reduce their
nonessential water use by 5 percent.
DEP encourages all citizens to take steps to reduce
their water use:
• Run water only when necessary. Avoid running
the faucet while brushing your teeth or shaving, or
letting the shower run for several minutes before
use.
• Check for household leaks. A leaking toilet
can waste up to 200 gallons of water each day.
• Run dishwashers and washing machines only with
full loads.
• Replace older appliances with high-efficiency,
front-loading models that use about 30 percent less
water and 40 to 50 percent less energy.
• Install low-flow plumbing fixtures and aerators
on faucets.
DEP also offers other water conservation
recommendations and water audit procedures for
commercial and industrial users, such as food
processors, hotels and educational institutions.
These recommendations and additional drought
monitoring information are available on the DEP
Drought Information website.
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