The Hellertown area–along with the rest of the Lehigh Valley–is under a drought watch that was expanded by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Wednesday.
In a news release, the DEP said the watch has been declared due to “low stream flows, declining groundwater levels and lack of precipitation. The declaration, which brings the number of counties under drought watch to 38–was made following today’s meeting of members of the Commonwealth’s Drought Task Force.”
The drought watch declaration calls for a voluntary 5 percent reduction in non-essential water use.
“Below-normal precipitation across most of the state has resulted in instantaneous stream flows declining in the central and eastern part of the state,” DEP Acting Secretary Patrick McDonnell said. “We’re asking residents to continue to conserve water in order to preserve adequate drinking water supplies.”
Eight public water systems in central and western Pennsylvania have instituted voluntary and mandatory water restrictions.
The DEP has also notified all water suppliers in the affected counties of the need to monitor their supplies and update their drought contingency plans as necessary.
The DEP is recommending the following practices for reducing 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.
The DEP also offers other water conservation recommendations and water audit procedures for commercial and industrial users, such as food processors, hotels and educational institutions. Those recommendations and additional drought monitoring information are available by visiting www.dep.pa.gov/drought.
The following is the list of counties under a drought declaration:
Drought Warning
Potter
Drought Watch
Armstrong
Bedford
Berks
Blair
Bradford
Cameron
Carbon
Centre
Chester
Clarion
Clearfield
Clinton
Cumberland
Dauphin
Delaware
Elk
Forest
Fulton
Huntingdon
Indiana
Jefferson
Juniata
Lawrence
Lebanon
Lehigh
Lycoming
McKean
Mercer
Mifflin
Northampton
Perry
Philadelphia
Schuylkill
Snyder
Sullivan
Tioga
Union
Venango
A DEP-issued map of the counties in Pennsylvania that are under drought watches and warnings.
