HARRISBURG — Drought watch status for Butler and 39 other counties has been lifted, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection.

“Recent rainfall, particularly in the last week, has returned stream flows, groundwater levels and soil moisture levels to normal in the eastern and several southern portions of the state,” DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said today.

“Conditions have begun to improve, but rainfall deficits still exist in the northwest and north-central regions. For now, we will keep those drought watch declarations in place.”

Other area counties also dropped from the drought watch list are: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Clarion and Lawrence.

Drought watches and warnings were issued Aug. 5 because of below-normal rainfall that resulted in low stream-flow conditions, decreased groundwater levels and precipitation deficits of up to 4 inches.

A drought watch declaration, the first and least severe level of the state’s three drought classifications, calls for a voluntary 5-percent reduction in non-essential water use. A drought warning is the second level of the drought classification and asks residents to voluntarily reduce water use by 10 percent to 15 percent.

A drought emergency is declared through proclamation by the governor and bans nonessential use and requires public water suppliers to implement contingency plans.