The lack of significant rain over most of the Commonwealth during September and this month has prompted the Department of Environmental Protection to expand its drought watch declaration to 53 counties.

Clinton County was placed in a drought warning because numerous water suppliers are having problems meeting demand.

The expanded declaration was recommended following a meeting this week of the state’s drought task force.

“We are asking everyone in the affected counties to be diligent in conserving water since long-range forecasts are not predicting the kind of slow, steady, soaking rain needed to break the drought,” said DEP Secretary Kathleen McGinty. “In addition, reducing demand at this time of year is more challenging since most of our water use is associated with indoor activities.”

A drought watch is the first and least severe of the state’s three drought watch declarations. It calls for a voluntary 5 percent reduction in non-essential water use. A drought warning — also a voluntary measure — asks users to reduce water consumption by 10 to 15 percent.

Following an unusually dry summer, DEP declared a drought watch on Aug. 6 for 58 counties. On September 5, 26 counties were removed from the drought watch following storms in late August.

Nine new counties were placed in watch status this week, including Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton and Philadelphia.

Additionally, 13 counties re-entered drought watch status, including Armstrong, Butler, Carbon, Clarion, Juniata, Lawrence, Lebanon, Mercer, Northumberland, Perry, Susquehanna, Tioga and York.

“Unfortunately, many counties have had below-normal precipitation over the last several weeks, causing record-low stream flows in some cases and continued decline of groundwater, surface water and reservoir levels,” said Secretary McGinty. “Currently, there are approximately 80 public water systems in the state under voluntary or mandatory restrictions.”

Areas hardest hit are in Clearfield and Clinton counties where several public water suppliers are purchasing water from other systems or trucking in water to meet demand. In Lock Haven, Clinton County, mandatory water restrictions are in place due to low reservoir levels caused by drought and the draw down of the reservoir for repairs.

Several streams located predominantly in the north central portion of the state are at or near record low flows.

For the latest on conditions, visit DEP’s Drought Information Center.

NewsClips: Counties Added to Drought Watch During Dry Autum

Dry, Dry Season in Central Susquehanna Valley

Devastating Drought

Water Woes Leaving Farmers High and Dry

Carbon, Schuylkill Among 17 in USDA Disaster Declaration

10/5/2007