Drought Watch Declared for Philadelphia

Philadelphia County was among four additional Pennsylvania counties in which a drought watch has been declared, officials announced Wednesday.

Nearby, drought watches have also been issued for Chester and Delaware counties due to low stream flows, declining groundwater levels, and lack of precipitation, officials said.

“Below normal precipitation across most of the state has resulted in instantaneous stream flows declining in the central and eastern part of the state,” Department of Environmental Protection Acting Secretary Patrick McDonnell said in a statement. “We’re asking residents to continue to conserve water in order to preserveadequate drinking water supplies.”

The local counties were added to the statewide list after the Commonwealth’s Drought Task Force met recently. The declarations call counties to voluntarily reduce 5 percent of their nonessential water use, according to authorities.

One Pennsylvania county, Potter, remains in a drought warning. Citizens in that county are encouraged to voluntarily reduce their water use between 10 to 15 percent, a press release states.

DEP recommends the following techniques to reduce water usage:

• Run water only when necessary. Avoid running the faucet while brushing your teeth or shaving, or letting the shower run for several minutes before use;

• Check for household leaks. A leaking toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water each day!

• Run dishwashers and washing machines only with full loads.

• Replace older appliances with highefficiency, frontloading models that use about 30 percent less water and 40 to 50 percent less energy.

• Install lowflow plumbing fixtures and aerators on faucets. DEP also offers other water conservation recommendations and water audit procedures for commercial and industrial users, such as food processors, hotels and educational institutions.

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