It’s been about three weeks since the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection issued a drought watch for Erie County.
It is encouraged, but not required residents to voluntarily reduce their water use, and to follow guidance from their local water supplier, which is Erie Water Works.
Erie’s water comes directly from Lake Erie – one of the world’s largest sources of fresh water.
“The drought watch affects people on community well systems that are coming from water wells…ground water wells, or even individual homeowners who have their own wells,” Erie Water Works CEO Greg Palmer said.
“But, for us, our freshwater source is not of concern.”