The utility is encouraging residents and businesses to reduce their nonessential water consumption by 10–15%, or approximately 11–16 gallons per day, in line with guidance issued by the DEP. The request affects customers served by Pennsylvania American Water in areas included in the state’s drought watch declaration.
The announcement comes after the Commonwealth Drought Task Force met on June 29, 2026, leading the DEP to strengthen drought conditions for several counties. According to Pennsylvania American Water, the company is encouraging conservation measures now to help prepare for the possibility of more restrictive actions if drought conditions become more severe.
Nine Counties Are Included in the Conservation Request
Pennsylvania American Water’s voluntary conservation request applies to customers in Adams, Berks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Northampton and York counties.
According to Pennsylvania American Water, these nine counties are part of the 18 counties currently included in the DEP’s drought watch declaration where the company provides water service. The utility emphasized that the request is focused on reducing nonessential water use while supplies continue to meet customer needs.
“We’re asking our customers in affected areas to observe the DEP’s request and be mindful of their nonessential water use during this drought watch,” said Brandy Braun, director of water quality and environmental compliance for Pennsylvania American Water. “Our sources of supply are currently adequate to meet the needs of our customers, but we want to prepare for the potential for more severe conditions that could lead to stricter conservation measures in the future.”
DEP Raises Drought Status for Four Counties
Following the June 29 meeting of the Commonwealth Drought Task Force, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection changed its declaration for Berks, Lancaster, Lebanon and Lehigh counties from a drought watch to a drought warning.
According to the DEP, the decision was based on public water supply levels and four indicators used to assess drought conditions: precipitation, surface water flow, groundwater level and soil moisture. The department describes a drought warning as the second level of Pennsylvania’s three drought classifications.
The expanded drought declaration prompted Pennsylvania American Water to reinforce its request that customers voluntarily reduce water consumption in affected service areas.
Water Conservation Resources and Practical Steps for Customers
Pennsylvania American Water said it offers a range of conservation resources through the Wise Water Use section of its website. According to the company’s announcement distributed by PR Newswire, it is also a member of the Alliance for Water Efficiency, which provides an online Water Use Calculator that allows households to evaluate their water consumption and identify opportunities to save both water and energy.
The company also shares conservation information through email campaigns, bill inserts and social media. Among the recommended actions are running dishwashers and washing machines only with full loads, checking toilets, faucets and pipes for leaks using free leak detection kits, installing water-saving showerheads, toilets and faucet aerators, choosing WaterSense-certified appliances, turning off the tap while brushing teeth or washing dishes, watering lawns only when necessary during the early morning or evening, sweeping driveways and sidewalks instead of using a hose, and collecting rainfall with a rain barrel using guidance provided by Penn State Extension.
Pennsylvania American Water says it is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States, providing regulated services to approximately 14 million people across 14 states and on 18 military bases.
