The Department of Environmental Protection issued a drought watch for 58 Pennsylvania counties as precipitation deficits continue to mount and groundwater levels fall in many areas of the state. Gov. Rendell this week urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide low-interest emergency loans to farmers in 22 counties suffering crop damage.

“After a fairly wet winter and spring, precipitation levels over the last two months have dropped dramatically resulting in deficits of as much as 4 inches in some counties,” DEP Secretary Kathleen McGinty said. “With groundwater and streamflow levels also on the decline, we’re asking everyone to conserve water to get us through the rest of the summer months.”

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 if necessary.

In addition to precipitation totals, DEP monitors groundwater levels, streamflows, soil moisture and water supply storage.

“Right now, our reservoirs are in good shape but with many water suppliers relying on groundwater wells, it’s imperative to curb consumption in affected areas to ensure an adequate supply,” Secretary McGinty added.

DEP offers the following tips for conserving water:

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; and

· 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; and

· Keep water in the refrigerator to avoid running water from a faucet until it is cold.

Outdoors:

· Water outdoors in the early morning or evening hours to cut down on evaporation;

· Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways, steps and sidewalks;

· Use soaker hoses and trickle irrigation systems to reduce water use by 20-50 percent; and

· Cover swimming pools to prevent evaporation.

The counties include: Adams, Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Bradford, Butler, Cambria, Cameron, Carbon, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Crawford, Cumberland, Dauphin, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Forest, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Huntingdon, Indiana, Jefferson, Juniata, Lackawanna, Lawrence, Lebanon, Luzerne, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Mifflin, Monroe, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Pike, Potter, Schuylkill, Snyder, Somerset, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Venango, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Westmoreland, Wyoming andYork.

For more drought information and water conservation tips, visit DEP’s Drought webpage.

NewsClips: Rendell Applies for Federal Crop Damage Aid

Drought Most Severe in Scattered Areas Due to Unusual Weather

Carbon County Confronts Drought Alert

Drying Up – Farmers Expect Smaller Harvests

Cumberland County Water Consumption Curbed

Drought Warnings Taken Seriously?

State Declares Drought

8/17/2007