News
for Immediate Release
Sept.
16, 2010
DEP
Issues Drought Warning for 24 Counties; Drought Watch for Remainder
of State
Below-Normal Rainfall Leads to Water Deficits
Harrisburg – The Department of Environmental Protection today
issued a drought warning for 24 Pennsylvania counties and a drought
watch for the remaining 43 counties as precipitation deficits
continued to worsen statewide, according to Environmental Protection
Secretary John Hanger.
“The hot,
dry summer led to steadily-declining ground and surface water
levels, particularly in the southwest and east-central portions of
the state,” Hanger said. “Pennsylvania’s Drought Task Force has
concurred with DEP’s recommendation that drought watches and
warnings be issued for all 67 counties to alert water suppliers,
industry and the public of the need to conserve water.”
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, and puts large water
consumers on notice to begin planning for the possibility of reduced
water supplies.
A drought
warning asks residents to reduce water use voluntarily by 10-15
percent.
The 24
counties under a drought warning are: Allegheny, Beaver, Bedford,
Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Huntingdon,
Lackawanna, Lawrence, Lehigh, Luzerne, Mercer, Monroe, Montgomery,
Northampton, Philadelphia, Pike, Schuylkill, Somerset and
Washington.
The 43
counties under a drought watch are: Adams, Armstrong, Blair,
Bradford, Butler, Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Chester, Clarion,
Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Crawford, Cumberland, Dauphin,
Delaware, Elk, Erie, Forest, Indiana, Jefferson, Juniata, Lancaster,
Lebanon, Lycoming, McKean, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Perry,
Potter, Snyder, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Venango,
Warren, Wayne, Westmoreland, Wyoming and York.
Precipitation deficits over the past 90-day period are currently as
great as 5.6 inches below normal in Somerset County and 5.5 inches
in Bucks County.
DEP is
sending letters to all water suppliers statewide, notifying them of
the need to monitor their supplies and update their drought
contingency plans as necessary.
DEP
monitors a statewide network of groundwater wells and stream gauges
that provide comprehensive data to the state drought coordinator. In
addition to precipitation, groundwater and streamflow levels, DEP
monitors soil moisture and water supply storage, and shares this
data with other state and federal agencies.
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 at
www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: drought.
Media
contact: Tom Rathbun, 717-787-1323
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