Southeastern Pennsylvania Remains Under Drought Watch Despite Rain
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- This week's rain has not provided enough moisture to lift the drought watch for the five counties of southeastern Pennsylvania.
Four eastern Pennsylvania counties – including Lehigh and Northampton – are under a drought warning. Thirty counties, including Philadelphia and the four suburban counties, are under a drought watch. And Deborah Klenotic, a spokesperson for the state Department of Environmental Protection, says they have a ways to go.
"In those 34 counties, the precipitation currently ranges from about 3 inches to almost 8 inches below average normals in the past 90 days," Klenotic said.
This week's rain has increased some stream flows, but its effect on groundwater levels is uncertain, so for now there will be no change in the drought watch and warning status in those counties. The situation will be reassessed on the 16th.
People in drought watch counties are asked to voluntarily reduce non-essential water use by five percent.
