Due to improving conditions in many parts of the state, the Department of Environmental this week lifted the drought watch declaration in 34 counties and upgraded Clinton County from drought warning to drought watch.

A drought watch remains in 20 counties where conditions are improving, but have not fully recovered.

A drought watch is the first and least severe of the state's three drought declarations. It calls for voluntary conservation of 5 percent of water use. Under a drought warning, also a voluntary measure, residents are asked to reduce their water consumption by 15 percent. A drought emergency calls for mandatory reductions in non-essential water use.

The 34 counties removed from the drought watch are Armstrong, Bedford, Blair, Bradford, Butler, Carbon, Chester, Clarion, Columbia, Delaware, Erie, Forest, Fulton, Greene, Lancaster, Lawrence, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, McKean, Mercer, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, Snyder, Somerset, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Venango, Washington, Wyoming and York.

Counties that remain under drought watch status are Adams, Berks, Bucks, Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Cumberland, Dauphin, Elk, Franklin, Juniata, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Potter, Schuylkill and Union.

DEP first declared a drought watch for 58 counties on Aug. 6.

For the latest on drought conditions and tips on how to save water, visit DEP’s Drought webpage.

1/11/2008