3940-FM-BSDW0426
9/2015
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
BUREAU OF SAFE DRINKING WATER
INSTRUCTIONS FOR MANDATORY WATER CONSERVATION NOTICE
Pennsylvania has developed three drought phases that have impacts on individual water use. The table
below describes the three drought phases of which two are voluntary water conservation objectives and a
third with a mandatory prohibition of nonessential water uses.
Drought Stage
Drought Watch
Drought Warning
Drought Emergency
% Reduction of Individual
Water Use
Water Conservation
Objective in Gallons per
day per person (based on
average 62 gpd per person
for residential use)
5%
59 gallons/day/person
10-15%
53-56 gallons/day/person
Prohibition of nonessential
water uses – 15% reduction
or lower
53 gallons/day/person
Water suppliers are required to develop and maintain a valid drought contingency plan that outlines
watch, warning, and emergency stages. The drought contingency plan is valid three years from the date
of approval by the Pennsylvania Drought Coordinator. The drought stages are based on indicator criteria
or triggers tailored to the sources of supply that accurately identify the onset of drought occurrences in a
timely fashion. The triggers used to monitor a system’s key supply sources may include storage levels of
reservoirs or stream flows for surface water sources, and pumping levels or well yields for groundwater
sources. The water supplier may request voluntary or mandatory water use restrictions within its own
service area in advance of any state announcements or declaration.
When the Governor declares a drought emergency, Chapter 119 PEMA regulations on prohibition of
nonessential water uses apply to all individuals. Under a declared drought emergency, Chapter 118
requires water suppliers who provide service to 50 or more customer connections and have either a
source of water or a service area within the designated drought emergency to develop, adopt and submit
a drought contingency plan. The drought contingency plan identifies plans of action such as:
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Water Conservation Notices
Conservation programs
Rationing
Development of emergency sources
Actions to achieve phased water use reductions
3940-FM-BSDW0426
9/2015
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
BUREAU OF SAFE DRINKING WATER
MANDATORY WATER CONSERVATION NOTICE
ESTE INFORME CONTIENE INFORMACION MUY IMPORTANTE SOBRE SU AGUA DE BEBER. TRADUZCALO
O HABLE CON ALGUIEN QUE LO ENTIENDA BIEN.
The Governor has declared a Drought Emergency.
The following water uses are considered nonessential and are prohibited during this emergency.
Prohibited Water Uses
 Watering lawns, gardens, landscaped areas, trees, shrubs and outdoor plants.
 Watering golf courses without a valid Drought Emergency Operations Plan.
 Washing paved surfaces, such as streets, sidewalks, driveways, garages, parking areas, tennis
courts and patios.
 Operating water fountains, artificial waterfalls and reflecting pools.
 Washing vehicles.
 Serving water in eating places unless specifically requested by the individual.
 Filling and topping off swimming pools.
Limited Exceptions to Prohibited Water Uses:
There are limited exceptions to the prohibited water uses. For specific information about these
exceptions, visit DEP’s website at www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: Drought,
To review a general fact sheet, view the “Managing Water Use During a Drought
Emergency” under the Fact Sheets & Guidelines link.
To read the regulations, view the “Chapter 119: Prohibition of Nonessential Water Uses in a
Commonwealth Drought Emergency Area” under the Regulations link.
We will inform you when the prohibited water use restrictions are lifted.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those
who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing
homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or
distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by
PWS ID#:
.
Date distributed: