Armstrong, Indiana County Under Drought Watch

Yesterday, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued a drought watch declaration for 34 Pennsylvania counties - including Armstrong County - and a drought warning declaration for Potter County following a meeting of the Commonwealth Drought Task Force where members evaluated recent data that indicate conditions for water supplies are continuing to deteriorate.

The declarations are in response to low stream flows, declining groundwater levels and below-normal precipitation primarily across counties in the upper half and south-central portions of Pennsylvania. These conditions have resulted in rainfall deficits of as much as six inches during the past 90 days.

“A number of public water systems have already instituted voluntary and mandatory water restrictions to preserve their drinking water supplies,” DEP Acting Secretary Patrick McDonnell said. “We’re asking residents and businesses to use water wisely and follow simple water conservation tips to ease the demand for water.”

A drought watch is the least severe of the three drought declarations (watch, warning and emergency). The watch calls for a voluntary five percent reduction in non-essential water use.

Ways to reduce that usage includes checking for household leaks, running dishwashers and washing machines only with full loads and replacing older appliances with high-efficiency, front-loading models or installing low-flow plumbing fixtures and aerators on faucets.

Through a cooperative program with the U.S. Geological Survey, DEP helps fund a statewide network of gauges to monitor groundwater levels and stream flows. This network provides the state’s drought coordinator with comprehensive data that is used to determine drought classifications. In addition to precipitation, groundwater and stream flow levels, DEP monitors soil moisture and water supply storage. This data is shared with other state and federal agency personnel who make up the task force.

Varying conditions under drought watch and warnings may dictate individual water suppliers or municipalities asking for more stringent conservation actions. DEP is notifying all water suppliers in the affected areas of the need to monitor their supplies and update their drought contingency plans as necessary.

DEP is also looking at new and innovative ways to improve the management of the state’s water resources.

“Historically, stormwater management consisted of getting runoff to streams as quickly as possible, and away from our cities and towns. Within the past decade, we have begun to see stormwater as a resource to recharge groundwater, and we continue to look for innovative ways to encourage these practices,” McDonnell said.

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