DEP Ends Drought Watch Across The State, All Counties Have Returned To Normal Status; 17 Water Suppliers Still Have Restrictions

On July 3, the Department of Environmental Protection announced on social media that after a July 2 meeting of the Commonwealth Drought Task Force, a drought watch has been lifted for the remaining eight counties that were previously in a drought watch. 

Berks, Chester, Cumberland, Delaware, Franklin, Lehigh, Philadelphia and Washington Counties all returned to normal status.

While all of the Commonwealth has officially returned to a normal status concerning drought, there may be pockets of the Commonwealth that continue to experience a slow recovery.  

The drought conditions in late 2024 were significant and in some areas were the driest on record since 2002. 

Residents should always pay attention to any information they receive from their local water supplier.   

Varying localized conditions may lead water suppliers or municipalities to ask residents to continue conservation measures.

The Department always encourages residents to conserve water.

Visit DEP’s Drought Information webpage for more information and a list of local water suppliers with restrictions.

For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website.  Submit Environmental Complaints; Click Here to sign up for DEP’s newsletter; sign up for DEP’s eNotice; Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.

[Posted: July 3, 2025]  PA Environment Digest