Chester County remains under a drought warning as dry conditions persist despite recent rainfall, and officials are urging residents, businesses, and farmers to voluntarily cut water use by 10 to 15 percent
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection earlier issued the warning after a prolonged lack of significant rainfall in the county. Under the advisory, people, businesses and farms are asked to save roughly six to nine gallons per person each day.
“We’re asking residents and businesses, including private well owners, to reduce their nonessential water use during this drought warning,” said Chester County Water Resources Authority Executive Director Seung Ah Byun.
Byun said reservoir levels that supply public water systems remain in good condition, but falling groundwater levels could create problems for residents and farmers who rely on private wells if dry weather continues in the coming months.
County officials said groundwater recharge was limited from November through March, when colder weather and reduced plant growth typically allow aquifers and streams to recover. Instead, groundwater levels continued to fall, leaving streams below normal across the county.
Officials said people who depend on groundwater wells should monitor usage carefully because excessive pumping can damage pumps or cause wells to run dry faster than they can recover.
The county also urged households and businesses with private wells and septic systems to conserve water, noting that groundwater recharge can be slow and uneven during extended dry periods.
A drought warning is the second of Pennsylvania’s three drought classifications and is based on public water supply conditions, precipitation, streamflow, groundwater levels and soil moisture. Chester County was last under a drought warning from November 2001 to February 2002.
County officials said more information on water levels, forecast conditions and conservation tips is available on the county’s drought information page.
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
