Drought Watch Declared In Bucks County, Water Conservation Recommended
DOYLESTOWN, PA — Thirty-five counties in Pennsylvania, including Bucks and Montgomery counties, are now under a Drought Watch and Berks and Schuylkill counties are under a Drought Warning due to consistent dry conditions.
While not required, residents and businesses are encouraged to voluntarily conserve water by reducing nonessential water use. Public water suppliers may request water conservation measures to ensure reliable delivery of drinking water.
"Pennsylvania received 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," said DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. "We want residents to be aware of these conditions and be mindful of their water use."
"Much of the Commonwealth is at a high risk for fire danger as a result of dry conditions, and it is critical that Pennsylvanians use extreme caution when handling fire or avoid any burning as these conditions persist," Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams 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."
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"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 percent 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.
"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. Planning cannot change the weather, but it can help farm businesses manage the risks that come with it."
Drought declarations are based on four factors – precipitation, stream flows, groundwater levels, and soil moisture. DEP makes its drought declarations after assessing the departures from normal ranges for periods of 3-12 months. DEP also factors in information it receives from public water suppliers.
There are several different stages of drought declaration that can be declared by the Commonwealth: Drought Watch, Drought Warning, and Drought Emergency.
DEP will not implement mandatory water use restrictions outside of a Drought Emergency. Individual public water systems may implement their own conservation measures.
Dry conditions have also heightened wildfire risk.
Human activity causes 99 percent 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:
DCNR advises those 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. Officials also recommend checking DCNR's website for elevated fire risk alerts. Dry conditions can also affect farm operations. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture encourages farm operations to plan to help protect their viability, track operational losses, and utilize federal crop insurance to recover from those losses. Information for farmers and ranchers is available on farmers.govOpens In A New Window .
More information about drought can be found on the DEP website: Drought Information
