Pennsylvania Declares Drought Watch, Urges Water Conservation

A statewide drought watch has been declared in Pennsylvania, with residents and businesses being asked to reduce their nonessential water use by 5% to 10%. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has encouraged residents to conserve water due to lowered stream flows, dropping groundwater levels, and persistent precipitation deficits. The DEP has listed several ways Pennsylvanians can use less water at home, including running the dishwasher and washing machine less often, taking shorter showers, and watering lawns only if necessary. The statewide drought watch was declared following a meeting of the Commonwealth Drought Task Force this week.