HARRISBURG, Pa. - The entire state of Pennsylvania is under a drought watch, according to officials with the Pa.
Department of Environmental Protection.The DEP is encouraging all residents and businesses to voluntarily conserve water. Though it is not a requirement, nonessential use of water is now discouraged.Despite much-needed rainfall last week, the department said the lack of substantial snowfall over the winter, coupled with a drier than average spring, has reduced groundwater levels and stream flows.
There has been a consistent precipitation deficit, officials stated.They went on to add 18 public water suppliers are asking customers for voluntary water conservation.
DEP has reached out to all of the state’s water suppliers to monitor their supplies and to update drought plans.Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture is encouraging farmers to protect their product."It’s critical for farmers, orchard owners and other producers to keep track of losses, and take advantage of federal crop insurance to help recoup those losses and state conservation funding and business planning grants to protect their soil, diversify their operations, and cushion against future weather-related losses.