{"id":240296,"date":"2026-07-10T16:01:10","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T16:01:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/240296\/"},"modified":"2026-07-10T16:01:10","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T16:01:10","slug":"pennsylvania-american-water-asks-customers-in-nine-counties-to-reduce-nonessential-water-use-during-drought-watch-declaration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/240296\/","title":{"rendered":"Pennsylvania American Water Asks Customers in Nine Counties to Reduce Nonessential Water Use During Drought Watch Declaration"},"content":{"rendered":"

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MECHANICSBURG, Pa., July 10, 2026 \/PRNewswire\/ — Pennsylvania American Water<\/a> is encouraging customers throughout portions of its statewide service territory to voluntarily reduce their water consumption in response to the\u00a0drought watch declaration expansion announced recently<\/a>\u00a0by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). While the company always encourages wise water use, Pennsylvania American Water is asking residents and businesses to voluntarily reduce their nonessential water use by 10-15% (a reduction of approximately 11-16 gallons per day) in accordance with DEP’s guidance. <\/p>\n

“We’re asking our customers in affected areas to observe the DEP’s request and be mindful of their nonessential water use during this drought watch,” said Brandy Braun, director of water quality and environmental compliance for Pennsylvania American Water. “Our sources of supply are currently adequate to meet the needs of our customers, but we want to prepare for the potential for more severe conditions that could lead to stricter conservation measures in the future.”\u00a0 <\/p>\n

Of the 18 counties currently included in DEP’s drought watch declaration, nine are within areas where Pennsylvania American Water provides water service. Those counties include Adams, Berks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Northampton and York. <\/p>\n

Following a meeting of the Commonwealth Drought Task Force on June 29, 2026, DEP worsened its declaration from Watch to Warning for four counties \u2013 Berks, Lancaster, Lebanon and Lehigh \u2013 based on public water supply levels and data related to four indicators: precipitation, surface water flow, groundwater level and soil moisture. According to DEP, a drought warning declaration is the second level of the state’s three drought classifications.\u00a0Learn more on\u00a0DEP’s drought information webpage<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Pennsylvania American Water offers multiple water conservation resources in the\u00a0Wise Water Use<\/a>\u00a0section of its website. It also is a member of the Alliance for Water Efficiency, which developed an online\u00a0Water Use Calculator<\/a>\u00a0that allows visitors to input water use information specific to their household and offers tips on where they can save water and energy based on that data.\u00a0The company also periodically shares water conservation tips and reminders with customers through email campaigns, bill enclosures and social media posts. <\/p>\n

Below are tips for conserving water inside and outside the home:\u00a0 <\/p>\n

Run dishwashers and clothes washers only when they are full. If you have a water-saver cycle, use it. <\/p>\n

Regularly check your toilet, faucets, and pipes for leaks with our\u00a0free leak detection kits<\/a>. If you find a leak, have it fixed as soon as possible. <\/p>\n

Install water-saving showerheads, toilets and faucet aerators. <\/p>\n

Consider water and energy-efficient appliances. Products and services that have earned the WaterSense label have been certified to be at least 20% more efficient while maintaining performance.\u00a0 <\/p>\n

Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth or washing dishes in the sink. <\/p>\n

Water your lawn only when it needs it. When you do, water in the early morning or evening to reduce evaporation.\u00a0 <\/p>\n

Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your sidewalk, driveway or patio.\u00a0 <\/p>\n

Set up a rain barrel to be ready to repurpose rain when it does fall. For information, see this\u202fPenn State Extension guide<\/a>. <\/p>\n

About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886 and celebrating 140 years in 2026, We Keep Life Flowing\u00ae by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s approximately 7,000 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders. <\/p>\n

For more information, visit\u00a0amwater.com<\/a> and join American Water on LinkedIn<\/a>, Facebook<\/a>, X<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>. <\/p>\n

About\u00a0Pennsylvania American Water
Pennsylvania American Water,\u00a0a subsidiary of American Water,\u00a0is the largest\u00a0regulated\u00a0water utility in the state\u00a0with\u00a0approximately\u00a01,200 dedicated employees working to\u00a0provide\u00a0safe, clean,\u00a0reliable\u00a0and affordable\u00a0water\u00a0and\u00a0wastewater services to approximately\u00a02.5\u00a0million people. <\/p>\n

\"Cision\"<\/a> Cision <\/p>\n

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