Bucks County On Drought Watch: PA Dept. Of Enivronmental Protection

Bucks County is one of 30 Pennsylvania counties that has been listed under a drought watch by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

The DEP is urging citizens to reduce their nonessential water use by 5 percent and offered several tips to do so:

• Run water only when necessary. Avoid running the faucet while brushing your teeth or shaving, or letting the shower run for several minutes before use.

• Check for household leaks. A leaking toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water each day.

• Run dishwashers and washing machines only with full loads.

• Replace older appliances with high-efficiency, front-loading models that use about 30 percent less water and 40 to 50 percent less energy.

• Install low-flow plumbing fixtures and aerators on faucets.

“We’re asking residents and businesses, particularly in central and eastern counties, to use water wisely and follow simple water conservation tips to ease the demand for water,” DEP Acting Secretary Patrick McDonnell said in a release. “We suggest that public water systems that implemented water restrictions this summer continue them to preserve their drinking water supplies.”

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