DEP: Drought Conditions In Berks, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh Counties Worsen From Drought Watch To Warning

In social media posts on July 1, the Department of Environmental Protection announced drought conditions have worsened in the Southcentral area of the state,.

The Commonwealth Drought Task Force met on June 29 and declared Berks, Lancaster, Lebanon and Lehigh counties to be in Drought Warning in addition to Chester, Cumberland, Franklin and Fulton counties.

11 counties are currently in Drought Watch: Adams, Bedford, Blair, Bucks, Dauphin, Delaware, Montgomery, Northampton, Perry, Philadelphia, York.

The remaining 48 counties are in normal status.

Mandatory Water Supplier Restrictions

Nine public water suppliers have mandatory water conservation advisories in place in Berks, Clearfield, Clinton, Cumberland, Dauphin, Fayette, Franklin, and Northampton counties. 

They include--

Bethlehem Wil Mar Manor (3480079), Northampton County

Indian Lake Camp Corp (7280055), Franklin County

Irvona Muni Auth (6170025), Clearfield County

Lenape Hills Mhp (3060016), Berks County

Lykens Boro Authority (7220022), Dauphin County

Mercersburg Boro Auth (7280021), Franklin County

Mont Alto Muni Auth (7280040), Franklin County

Pa Amer Water Co - Brownsville (5260005), Fayette County

Rolling Hills Estates (7210013), Cumberland County

Voluntary Water Supplier Restrictions

48 water suppliers have voluntary restrictions in place in Adams, Berks, Butler, Carbon, Cameron, Centre, Clair, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Dauphin, Indiana, Jefferson, Lancaster, Lawrence, Lebanon, Lehigh, Northampton, Northumberland, Potter, Schuylkill, Warren and York counties. 

Click Here for the list of water systems.

Stages Of Drought

Several different stages of drought declaration that can be declared by the Commonwealth--

-- Drought Watch – 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 Warning – a Drought Warning is typically declared for a county with 3 of the four indicators in “warning” status. Residents are encouraged, but not required, to reduce their water use by 10-15 percent.

-- Drought Emergency – if conditions become more severe a Drought Emergency can be declared by the Governor and emergency water restrictions can be implemented. In the unlikely event of a drought emergency, water suppliers and/or municipal governments will guide residents about water use and conservation.

Visit DEP’s Drought Information webpage for more information.

(Maps: June 29, 2026 Drought Status Map; June 6, 2026 Drought Map.)

Related Articles This Week:

-- PA Dept. of Agriculture: Get Ready To Apply For Resource Enhancement & Protection (REAP) Farm Conservation Tax Credits  [PaEN] 

-- DEP Chesapeake Bay Program Update Highlights 10 Millionth Tree Planted; County Water Quality Improvement Projects; Education Opportunities  [PaEN]

-- PA Interfaith Power & Light Issues RFP For At Least 50,000 Trees For Roots Branches & Hands Tree Planting Initiative  [PaEN]  

-- Chesapeake Bay Foundation: Federal Court Hears Arguments To Halt Cuffs Run Pump-Storage Susquehanna River Hydroelectric Project In York County  [PaEN] 

-- DEP: Drought Conditions In Berks, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh Counties Worsen From Drought Watch To Warning  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- WNEP: An Ancient Lenape Ceremony Blessing The Delaware River In Monroe County 

-- Delaware Highlands Conservancy Accepting Entries For Summer Confluence: Land, Water, Wildlife Photo Contest Aug. 3 to 31

-- The Allegheny Front: After Demolition Of Elizabeth Locks & Dam, The Impact  On Monongahela River And Businesses That Depend On It Is Much Different Than Expected 

[Posted: July 1, 2026]  PA Environment Digest