Last week, the Commonwealth Drought Task Force met and moved four southeastern counties from drought watch into drought warning status: Berks, Lancaster, Lebanon, and Lehigh. Drought declarations are based on an analysis of stream flow, groundwater levels, precipitation, and soil moisture. Each has an established normal range, and declarations are made after assessing how far conditions have deviated from normal over the past 3 to 12 months. 

Meanwhile, drought warnings remain in place in four other counties due to persistently dry conditions: Chester, Cumberland, Franklin, and Fulton. Eleven additional counties remain in drought watch: Adams, Bedford, Blair, Bucks, Dauphin, Delaware, Montgomery, Northampton, Perry, Philadelphia, and York. The remaining 48 counties are currently in normal status.  

As part of the warnings and watches, nine public water suppliers require mandatory water conservation, while many more are requesting voluntary conservation. PA American is requesting voluntary water conservation in 21 counties, several of which are under normal status. It includes tips for water conservation in a recent press release, such as watering plants early in the morning or later in the evening, checking sprinkler heads to ensure water isn’t being wasted, and setting mower blades higher to cut grass to a more drought-resistant 2.5 to 3.5 inches. Click here to learn more about drought monitoring in Pennsylvania and here for PA American’s press release.