* Click here to discuss drought management in our online forums
HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 16, 2002 -- On behalf of Gov. Mark Schweiker, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary David E. Hess recently announced that the City of Philadelphia Water Department's request for an exemption from drought-emergency restrictions has been denied.
"The drought emergency is a serious regional situation that is affecting both Pennsylvania and the states surrounding us," Secretary Hess said. "Philadelphia's upstream neighbors are making every effort to conserve water. In turn, Philadelphia needs to be conscious of its water-conservation efforts to help preserve water for themselves, as well as their neighbors."
The City of Philadelphia requested the exemption from the drought- emergency restrictions on Tuesday, Sept. 10.
On Sept. 5, Gov. Schweiker amended his drought-emergency proclamation and added Philadelphia County, as well as Bucks, Dauphin, Montgomery and Perry counties, to the drought-emergency area.
"Gov. Schweiker is calling on all water users to conserve water during this extremely dry period," said Secretary Hess. "Philadelphia's neighbors in New Jersey, Delaware, and to the south in Maryland have all declared drought emergencies and have mandatory restrictions. Philadelphia needs to do its part as well."
The 19 Pennsylvania counties in drought-emergency status are Adams, Bedford, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Franklin, Fulton, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Perry, Philadelphia, Schuylkill and York. Residents in these counties should follow mandatory water-use restrictions and reduce water use by 15 percent.
"Approval of Philadelphia's requested exemption would create enforcement problems of water-use restrictions in surrounding areas, as well as throughout the Delaware River basin," Secretary Hess said. "Other water users also would question the fairness of their required conservation efforts in order to protect Philadelphia's water supplies."
For more information, visit the PA PowerPort at http://www.state.pa.us/, PA Keyword: "drought".
