The counties include Beaver, Bradford, Butler, Cambria, Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Indiana, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Potter, Schuylkill, Somerset, Tioga, Venango, Warren, and Washington.
“Pennsylvania received very little rain over the summer. We want residents to be aware of these dry conditions and be mindful of their water use,” said Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Jessica Shirley. “DEP makes drought declarations based on long-term trends. A severe thunderstorm or a rainy week may not lift the drought status for a particular area.”
A Drought Watch is typically declared for a county with three of the four factors in a “watch” status. Residents are encouraged, but not required, to voluntarily reduce their water use by five to ten percent.
Drought declarations are based on four factors – precipitation, stream flows, groundwater levels, and soil moisture.
The DEP Drought Coordinator monitors these indicators in close partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey, which maintains gauges in streams and wells in many locations across Pennsylvania.
DEP makes its drought declarations after assessing the departures from normal ranges for periods of 3-12 months.
Click Here for a map that’s updated daily to show the status of all four indicators for each county.
Water Supplier Restrictions
DEP also factors in information it receives from public water suppliers. DEP will not implement mandatory water use restrictions outside of a Drought Emergency.
Individual public water systems may implement their own conservation measures. While not required, residents and businesses are encouraged to voluntarily conserve water by reducing nonessential water use.
Public water suppliers under mandatory restrictions--
Audubon Water Co (1460055), Montgomery County
Doylestown Boro Water (Dbwd) (1090081), Bucks County
Indian Lake Camp Corp (7280055), Franklin County
Irvona Muni Auth (6170025), Clearfield County
Lykens Boro Auth (7220022), Dauphin County
Mercersburg Boro Auth (7280021), Franklin County
Mont Alto Muni Auth (7280040), Franklin County
Pa Amer Water Co Glen Alsace Dist (3060088), Berks County
Rolling Hills Estates (7210013), Cumberland County
Public water suppliers under voluntary restrictions--
Brady Twp Water Assn (6170036), Clearfield County
Clearfield Muni Auth (6170008), Clearfield County
Conemaugh Twp Muni Auth (4560048), Somerset County
Driftwood Boro (6120001), Cameron County
Galeton Boro Water Auth (6530010), Potter County
Mt Gretna Auth (7380024), Lebanon County
Pa Amer Water Co Berwick Dist (4190013), Columbia County
Pa Amer Water Co Boggs (4140101), Centre County
Pa Amer Water Co Golden Oaks Res Dist (3060126), Berks County
Pa Amer Water Co Hershey Dist (7220017), Dauphin County
Pa Amer Water Co Lake Heritage Dist (7010035), Adams County
Pa Amer Water Co Mcewensville (4490298), Northumberland County
Pa Amer Water Co Mechanicsburg Dist (7210029), Cumberland County
Pa Amer Water Co Nittany (4140081), Centre County
Pa Amer Water Co Norristown Dist (1460046), Montgomery County
Pa Amer Water Co Penn Dist (3060069), Berks County
Pa Amer Water Co Philipsburg Moshannon Dist (4140087), Centre County
Pa Amer Water Co Royersford Dist (1150166), Montgomery County
Pa Amer Water Co Turbotville Sys (4490016), Northumberland County
Pa Amer Water Co White Deer Dist (4490023), Northumberland County
Pa Amer Water Steelton (7220036), Dauphin County
Roulette Twp Water Auth (6530007), Potter County
Shippensburg Boro Auth (7210043), Cumberland County
Stewartstown Boro Water Auth (7670062), York County
Westover Muni Auth (6170040), Clearfield County
Click Here for the DEP announcement.
Visit DEP's Drought Information webpage for more information and an updated list of water suppliers with restrictions.
NewsClips:
-- The Derrick: Drought Prompts Venango County Burning Advisory; Rain In Forecast This Week
-- Morning Call: Is Lehigh Valley Headed For Another Drought? What Water Data Tells Us
[Posted: October 7, 2025] PA Environment Digest
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