Mon Valley counties under drought watch

Area residents are being asked to reduce their water usage by 5-10%.

Drought watches and warnings have been issued for 35 counties across the state, including the entirety of the Mon Valley.

On Friday, the Pennsylvania Drought Task Force announced that Adams, Allegheny, Beaver, Bucks, Butler, Carbon, Chester, Clearfield, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Greene, Indiana, Lancaster, Lawrence, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Montgomery, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Perry, Philadelphia, Pike, Somerset, Washington, Westmoreland and York counties are under a drought watch.

Additionally, Berks and Schuylkill counties are under a drought warning due to consistent dry conditions.

Drought declarations are based on four factors — precipitation, stream flows, groundwater levels and soil moisture.

The Department of Environmental Protection makes its drought declarations after assessing the departures from normal ranges for periods of three to 12 months.

DEP also factors in information it receives from public water suppliers.

There are several stages of drought declaration that can be declared by the state: drought watch, warning and emergency.

A drought watch is typically declared for a county with three of the four factors in a “watch” status. Residents are encouraged, but not required, to voluntarily reduce their water use by 5-10%.

Drought warnings are declared for a county with three of the four indicators in “warning” status. Residents are encouraged, but not required, to reduce their water use by 10-15%.

Drought emergencies are declared when conditions become more severe. An emergency can be declared by the governor, and emergency water restrictions can be implemented.

In the unlikely event of a drought emergency, water suppliers and municipal governments will guide residents about water use and conservation.

In the Mon Valley, residents and businesses are encouraged to voluntarily conserve water by reducing nonessential water use.

Public water suppliers could also request water conservation measures to ensure reliable delivery of drinking water.

DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley said there has been very little rain over September and October, capping off a dry six months, particularly in the southeast part of the state.

“DEP makes drought declarations based on long-term trends; a rainy week may not lift the drought status for an area,” Shirley said. “We want residents to be aware of these conditions and be mindful of their water use.”

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said the dry conditions not only pose water-related threats, they increase the risk for fire dangers.

“It is critical that Pennsylvanians use extreme caution when handling fire or avoid any burning as these conditions persist,” Dunn said. “Stay up to date with the latest information using DCNR’s Wildfire Danger Forecast Map and be sure to follow all local guidance pertaining to burn bans to do your part to keep our natural resources and communities safe from fire.”

According to the DCNR, human activity causes 99% of wildfires in Pennsylvania, leading to the destruction of thousands of acres of state and private woodlands each year.

Wildfires require specific conditions to ignite like an available fuel source, such as dried grass or leaves, dry conditions including low relative humidity and an ignition source.

DCNR advises anyone lighting fires at home or campsites to keep combustible items at least 10 feet away.

A rake or shovel, along with water, should be readily available to fully extinguish embers.

The dry conditions have made it difficult for area farmers, many of whom are in the red because of loss of their crops due to drought and pests like deer and birds who have destroyed many of their products.

“Water is essential for growing food. Voluntary restrictions do not apply to farms and other businesses that rely on it to produce food,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “Risks and volatility in farming are weather-related more than in any other business.

“Pennsylvania’s beneficial natural average rainfall has been upended by weather extremes and unpredictability in recent years and 2024 is no exception. Nearly 40% of the topsoil across the state is either short or very short in moisture content in the past week, and several counties are eligible for federal relief for earlier drought conditions or flooding.”

Redding said it’s critical for farmers to keep track of losses, and take advantage of federal crop insurance to help recoup losses.

“State conservation funding and business planning grants help protect their soil, diversify their operations and cushion against future weather extremes,” Redding said. “Planning cannot change the weather, but it can help farm businesses manage the risks that come with it.”