Pennsylvania American Water asks customers to conserve
Pennsylvania American Water is asking residents and businesses in Butler County to use 5 fewer gallons of water per day due to a lack of rainfall and low water levels in two reservoirs.
The company wants customers to voluntarily reduce nonessential water use by 5%, or about 5 gallons, per day due to below-normal rainfall levels over the last three months in accordance with its water’s drought contingency plan.
“The lack of precipitation has impacted water levels in Butler’s source waters, Thorn Run and Lake Oneida,” said Jon Natale, Pennsylvania American’s northwest director of operations. “We’re asking customers to voluntarily reduce nonessential water use in an effort to prevent additional restrictions.”
Customers in Butler; Connoquenessing, East Butler and Saxonburg boroughs; and Butler, Center, Clinton, Connoquenessing, Donegal, Forward, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Lancaster, Oakland, Penn and Summit townships are being asked to conserve.
The county normally receives 43.21 inches of precipitation per year and most of it comes in June through September when rainfall averages a little more than 4 inches per month, said Chris Leonardi, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh.
“The wettest period is usually June through September,” Leonardi said.
Total precipitation this year isn’t available because Butler County hasn’t had a cooperative weather observer working with the National Weather Service since 2020, but rainfall from July through this month has been low, he said.
Rainfall in May and June were above average. The weather started drying up in July. August rainfall was 2 or 3 inches below normal and hardly any rain has fallen this month, he said.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources has not issue a drought advisory.
Pennsylvania American Water offers multiple water conservation resources in the wise water use section of its website and is a member of the Alliance for Water Efficiency, which developed an online water use calculator that allows visitors to input water use information specific to their household and offers tips on where they can save water and energy based on that data.
Pennsylvania American Water recommends eliminating the following nonessential uses:
- Watering of lawns, gardens, trees, shrubs or any other type of plants except by hand-held hose or container
- Water use for the purpose of washing any paved surface area, including washing streets, garages, sidewalks, driveways, etc.
- Watering any portion of golf courses other than tees and greens
- Water use for ornamental purposes, such as fountains, waterfalls, etc.
- Water use for cleaning of any type of motor vehicle
- Serving of water in clubs or restaurants or any other public eating places, unless requested by customers
- Water use for flushing of sewers, except as deemed necessary in the interest of public health and safety
- Use of fire hydrants for any purpose other than fighting fires. This includes fire practice drills by all fire departments
The company offers the following tips for conserving water:
- Run dishwashers and clothes washers only when they are full. If you have a watersaver cycle, use it.
- Regularly check your toilet, faucets and pipes for leaks and fix leaks as soon as possible.
- Install water-saving showerheads, toilets and faucet aerators.
- Consider water and energy-efficient appliances. Products and services that have earned the WaterSense label have been certified to be at least 20% more efficient while maintaining performance.
- Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth or washing dishes in the sink.
- Water your lawn only when it needs it. When you do, water in the early morning or evening to reduce evaporation.
- Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your sidewalk, driveway or patio.
- Set up a rain barrel to be ready to reuse rain when it does fall. Penn State Extension has a guide for setting up rain barrels.
In addition to low water levels, the reservoirs have issues with algae growth due to the hot and dry weather.
Naturally occurring algae — a microscopic plant — produces an odd but harmless taste or odor. The drinking water continues to meet all DEP and federal Environmental Protection Agency standards, and the current condition does not pose a health threat, according to Pennsylvania American Water.
The company said carbon is used during the regular treatment process to adsorb odors from the water, and the treatment is adjusted to adapt to changing conditions.
