The Department of Environmental Protection this week removed 26 counties from the drought watch declared August 6. The state’s drought task force also recommended that 32 counties remain in drought watch status as concern lingers over groundwater levels in some areas of the Commonwealth.

“Many counties received above-normal precipitation in August and the groundwater and surface water levels in those counties have returned to normal for this time of year,” Environmental Protection Kathleen A. McGinty said. “In many of the counties that remain under a drought watch, the groundwater levels, while improving, have not completely recharged, so we’re asking people to continue to conserve water.”

The 26 counties removed from the drought watch include: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Carbon, Clarion, Crawford, Fayette, Huntingdon, Indiana, Jefferson, Juniata, Lackawanna, Lawrence, Lebanon, Mercer, Mifflin, Northumberland, Perry, Pike, Susquehanna, Tioga, Warren, Wayne, Westmoreland and York.

The drought watch remains in effect for: Adams, Bedford, Blair, Bradford, Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Elk, Erie, Franklin, Forest, Fulton, Greene, Luzerne, Lycoming, McKean, Monroe, Montour, Potter, Schuylkill, Snyder, Somerset, Sullivan, Union, Washington, Wyoming and Venango.

A drought watch 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 monitors precipitation totals, groundwater levels, streamflows, soil moisture and water supply storage when deciding whether a drought declaration is needed.

“It’s important to note this is typically the driest time of the year in Pennsylvania. So, while the voluntary 5 percent reduction in non-essential water use is no longer officially in effect for some counties, and reservoirs are in good shape, conserving water is always a good idea,” Secretary McGinty said.

She noted that individuals and water suppliers who rely on groundwater wells should be particularly aware of any drops in groundwater levels.

Visit DEP’s Drought Information Center for more information.

9/7/2007