After 'abnormally dry' May in Bucks County, water authorities urge conservation measures

Peg Quann, Bucks County Courier Times
Updated ·2 min read

An early dry spell has the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority and the North Wales Water Authority requesting their customers conserve water usage due to low streamflow conditions and the lack of rain.

"While there is no risk of running out of drinking water and no need to start storing water for drinking, residents are being asked to conserve water right now and avoid activities like washing your vehicles or watering your lawns," the BCWSA stated.

BCWSA provides retail and wholesale water services in Bucks County to Upper Southampton, Lower Southampton, Solebury, New Hope, Northampton, Newtown, Middletown, Langhorne, Penndel, Hulmeville townships. It also provides water services to West Vincent township in Chester County.

Nancy Doyle (left) and Kathy Kraeck, both of Lower Makefield, walk along the Delaware Canal in Lower Makefield Friday, as the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority issued a water conservation advisory because of low streamflow conditions due to "abnormally dry" weather.
Nancy Doyle (left) and Kathy Kraeck, both of Lower Makefield, walk along the Delaware Canal in Lower Makefield Friday, as the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority issued a water conservation advisory because of low streamflow conditions due to "abnormally dry" weather.

May was 'very dry,' NWS says

Western Bucks County and Montgomery County are "abnormally dry," said Amanda Lee, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Westampton, New Jersey. "We're not in drought conditions yet but May was very dry."

In fact, this May was the third driest on record at the Trenton-Mercer Airport, the closest recording site to Bucks County. Since January, the precipitation accumulation is now running 4.5 inches below average there and 3.5 inches of that shortage occurred just in May, Lee said. The NWS lists five levels of water shortage from the current abnormally dry condition to moderate drought, severe drought, extreme drought and exceptional drought.

How to limit water usage

The water authorities are asking residents and businesses to conserve water by avoiding washing vehicles and to follow these tips to limit water usage:

  • run the dishwasher and clothes washer only when fully loaded.

  • defrost frozen food in the refrigerator or in the microwave instead of running water over it.

  • when washing dishes by hand, use two basins – one for washing and one for rinsing rather than let the water run.

  • reduce the amount of water an older toilet uses by placing a half gallon plastic jug in the tank.

  • cover your spa or pool to reduce evaporation. An average size pool left uncovered can lose as much as 1,000 gallons (3,785 liters) of water per month.

The water authorities and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection also urge residents to water their gardens in cooler evening hours and to only water lawns when necessary. And to set up a rain barrel to collect rain when it does fall.

Scattered storms won't bring much rain

Lee said that some scattered or isolated storms may precede a cold spell coming this weekend but they aren't expected to bring much rain and the outlook for the month of June gives a 50-50 chance for more precipitation.

BCWSA spokesman Brian Dries said the lack of snowfall this winter also may be contributing to the current dry conditions.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County residents urged to conserve water as dry weather persists