Nearly half of counties in Pa. under drought watch or warning, water usage restricted

PITTSBURGH — Nearly half of all the counties in Pennsylvania are now under either a drought watch or warning, according to the Department of Environmental Protection.

The DEP moved three counties to drought warning, which is more severe: Clinton, McKean, and Potter. All three of those counties are in the northern part of the state.

Meanwhile, there are now 29 counties in Pa. under drought watches, including several in our area: Butler, Fayette, Armstrong and Indiana are some of those counties in western Pa.

The only counties in our area classified as “normal” are Allegheny, Beaver, Greene, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland.

Officials said residents on drought warning are asked to reduce their individual water use 10-15%, based on a statewide average of 62 gallons per person per day. This means a reduction of six to nine gallons a day.

Residents on drought watch are asked to reduce their individual water use 5-10%, or a reduction of three to six gallons of water per day.

“It’s going to take a lot of precipitation to get us out of these deficits over time. We are asking residents in these counties to use water wisely and follow simple water conservation tips to ease the demand for water,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell.

DEP said varying localized conditions may lead water suppliers or municipalities to ask residents for more stringent conservation actions by residents. Eighteen water suppliers in these counties have begun asking or requiring residents to reduce their water use.

According to DEP, there are many ways to reduce water use:

• Run water only when necessary. Don’t let the faucet run while brushing your teeth or shaving. Shorten the time you let the water run to warm up before showering. Use a bucket to catch the water and reuse it to water your plants.
• Run the dishwasher and washing machine only with full loads.
• When watering your garden, be efficient and effective: Water in the evening or morning, and direct the water to the ground at the base of the plant, so you don’t waste water through evaporation.
• Water your lawn only if necessary. Apply no more than 1 inch of water per week (use an empty can to determine how long it takes to water 1 inch). Avoid watering on windy and hot days. This pattern will encourage healthier, deeper grass roots. Over-watering is wasteful, encourages fungal growth and disease, and results in shallow, compacted root systems that are more susceptible to drought.
• Re-use old water from bird baths, vases, or pet bowls to water plants.
• When mowing your lawn, set the blades to 2-3 inches high. Longer grass shades the soil, improving moisture retention. It also grows thicker and develops a deeper root system, so it can better survive drought.
• Check for household leaks. For example, a leaking toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water daily.
• Sweep your sidewalk, deck, or driveway, rather than hosing it off.
• Replace older appliances with high-efficiency, front-loading models that use about 30 percent less water and 40-50 percent less energy.
• Install low-flow plumbing fixtures and aerators on faucets.

For more information, visit the DEP website HERE.

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