Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Drought Task Force on Sunday elevated Lebanon County from drought watch to drought warning status, prompting the City of Lebanon Authority (CoLA) to call on customers to conserve water.
Eight counties across the state are now in drought warning status: Berks, Chester, Cumberland, Franklin, Fulton, Lancaster, Lebanon, and Lehigh.
CoLA executive director Tom Deitzler said the escalation came in response to worsening conditions across the region. While some precipitation fell in recent months, a particularly dry June slowed groundwater recovery, he said.
The authority is asking all customers — including daycares, school districts, and other institutions — to voluntarily reduce water usage by 10 to 15%.
Recommended conservation measures include avoiding outdoor water use except for newly seeded areas, checking for leaks, reducing toilet flushes, shortening showers, running dishwashers and washing machines only with full loads, and turning off water while brushing teeth. Restaurants and other food-service establishments are asked to serve water only upon request.
The authority also asked bulk customers, municipalities and institutions to prepare contingency plans in the event the state declares a drought emergency.
Deitzler said the authority is doing its part by repairing leaking water mains, limiting hydrant and sewer flushing to essential situations, and monitoring water supplies and storage daily.
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