Montco Residents Urged To Conserve Water Amid Drought

With severe drought conditions continuing across much of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania American Water is putting out a call to huge swath of Montgomery County to conserve their water.

The water company called the request "voluntary." They recommend avoiding watering lawns or gardens, washing streets or driveways, watering golf courses, operating fountains or waterfalls, cleaning cars, and flushing sewers.

“Our region has experienced drier weather than usual,” Justin Brame, Pennsylvania American Water's senior manager of operations, said in a statement.. “With little precipitation in the current 10-day forecast, we’re asking customers in our Norristown and Royersford systems to voluntarily reduce their non-essential water use."

The notice covers the company Norristown and Royersford service areas, which include East Norriton, Limerick, Lower Pottsgrove, Lower Providence, Perkiomen, Plymouth, Skippack, Upper Merion, Upper Providence, West Norriton, Whitemarsh, Whitpain, Worcester, Bridgeport, Norristown, and Royersford.

It also applies to parts of neighboring Chester County, including East Pikeland, Schuylkill and West Vincent townships and Spring City borough in Chester County.

Related: Burn Ban Extends To More Communities Across Montgomery County

Montgomery County and most of southeastern Pennsylvania have not seen any notable rainfall in weeks. In parts of the region, the dry spell is a historic record.

But aside from causing water supplies to dwindle, it's also led to an increased threat of fires, with wildfires already ravaging parts of New Jersey. Burn bans are in place around the county.

Other tips from Pennsylvania American Water on limiting water usage:

• Run dishwashers and clothes washers only when they are full
• Regularly check your toilet, faucets and pipes for leaks with free leak detection kits
• Install water-saving showerheads, toilets and faucet aerators
• Consider water and energy-efficient appliances
• Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth or washing dishes in the sink
• Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your sidewalk, driveway or patio