HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The state Department of Environmental Protection is declaring a drought watch for 15 counties in western Pennsylvania, a move that means residents and businesses should try to reduce the use of water while signaling the potential for a reduction in water supplies.
The watch, the first and least severe level of the state's three drought classifications, calls for a voluntary 5% reduction in so-called non-essential water use, along with starting to plan for possible reduced water availability.
The 15 counties put under the watch include Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Fayette, Forest, Greene, Lawrence, Mercer, Somerset, Venango, Warren and Washington.
DEP said Thursday it is notifying all water suppliers about the need to monitor supplies and to update any drought contingency plans as needed.
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