STATEWIDE DROUGHT WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT

A drought watch remains in effect for all of Pennsylvania.

The drought watch was issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.  While there has been some rainfall as of late, it has not been enough for officials to lift the drought watch designation.  Officials say that the declarations are in response to low stream flows, declining groundwater levels and persistent precipitation deficits.

People are reminded that under a drought watch, water use should be voluntarily cut back by five percent.   Tips on how to do that are listed below.

To preserve water:

• Run the dishwasher and washing machine less often, and only with full loads.
• Don’t let the faucet run while brushing your teeth or shaving. Take shorter showers. For example, consider not washing your hair daily.
• Water your lawn only if necessary. Avoid watering on windy and hot days. Watering grass lightly and efficiently will encourage healthier, deeper grass roots. Overwatering is wasteful, encourages fungal growth and disease, and results in shallow, compacted root systems that are more susceptible to drought.
• When mowing your lawn, set the blades 2-3 inches high. Longer grass shades the soil, improving moisture retention.
• Water your garden less often. If necessary, water only in the cooler evening or morning hours, and direct the water to the ground at the base of the plant. Focus on new plantings, which have shallow root systems. Older plants may endure dry conditions longer.
• Skip the car washing. If you have to wash your car, it’s better environmentally to go to a drive-through car wash that recycles the water.
• Sweep your sidewalk, deck, or driveway, instead of hosing it off.
• Check for and repair household leaks. For example, a leaking toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water daily.
• Set up a rain barrel to be ready to repurpose rain when it does fall. For helpful information, see this Penn State Extension guide. Or just set out a bucket to capture water in the event of rain, and reuse it to water plants or the bird bath.