The Department of Environmental Protection this week lifted the drought watch declaration for the last 20 counties meaning all of Pennsylvania is now considered to have normal ground and surface water levels.

The drought watch was lifted today in Adams, Berks, Bucks, Cambia, Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Cumberland, Dauphin, Elk, Franklin, Juniata, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Potter, Schuylkill and Union counties.

“While some public water suppliers are still calling for customers to restrict their water use based on their individual system needs, conditions overall have improved so that there is no longer a need for a county-wide conservation effort,” said DEP Secretary Kathleen McGinty. “We would point out, though, that conserving water is always prudent.”

A drought watch was first declared in 58 counties last August following weeks of below-normal rainfall that resulted in precipitation deficits of as much as 4 inches in some counties.

For more information, visit the Drought Information Center webpage.

2/15/2008