The Department of Environmental Protection issued a drought watch this week for 29 Pennsylvania counties as precipitation deficits continue and stream flow levels fall in the western and north central areas of the state.

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.

"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 Acting Secretary Hanger. "Hopefully, these conservation measures will allow us to maintain adequate groundwater and streamflow levels as we head into the winter months."

For more information on drought conditions and conservation measures, visit DEP's Drought Information Center webpage.

NewsClips: DEP Declares Drought Watch In 29 Counties

11/7/2008