Schuylkill County Water Customers Urged to Reduce Usage During Ongoing Drought

Schuylkill County Municipal Authority is once again reminding its customers to conserve water during the ongoing drought.

The water company wants customers to conserve water as much as possible during the drought.

Despite the rather wet winter we’ve experienced here in Schuylkill County, the area mostly remains in Severe Drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, which is compiled through a partnership of National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the United States Department of Agriculture and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Nearly 98% of Schuylkill County – like all of southeast Pennsylvania – is experiencing Severe Drought conditions, up from about 86.5% three months ago, when SCMA last urged customers to reduce water usage. A small portion of extreme western Schuylkill County is in Moderate Drought.

Here are 10 common-sense ways you can reduce your water usage, especially during the winter months:

Fix Leaks Promptly – Even a small leak can waste thousands of gallons per year. Check pipes, faucets, and toilets regularly for leaks, especially in winter when temperature changes can worsen them.

Insulate Pipes – Prevent freezing and bursting by wrapping exposed pipes in insulation. This avoids emergency leaks that waste large amounts of water.

Take Shorter, Efficient Showers – It’s tempting to linger in a hot shower, but cutting just 2 minutes can save up to 5 gallons per shower.

Capture Water While Waiting for Warmth – Place a bucket in the shower or a container under the sink to catch cold water while waiting for it to heat up. Use it for cleaning, flushing, or houseplants instead of wasting it down the drain.

Turn Off the Tap – Don’t let the faucet run while brushing teeth, shaving, or washing hands. Turning it off while scrubbing can save hundreds of gallons per month.

Run Full Loads in Dishwashers & Washing Machines – Since people tend to do more laundry in winter, make sure to run only full loads to maximize water efficiency.

Use a Basin for Dishwashing – If washing dishes by hand, fill a basin with soapy water instead of letting the tap run continuously. Rinse quickly with another basin or a brief faucet blast.

Use Water-Efficient Humidifiers – Instead of steam humidifiers, which use more water and energy, choose evaporative humidifiers or place a bowl of water near a radiator to naturally add moisture to the air.

Thaw Food Smartly – Instead of using running water to thaw frozen foods, defrost them in the fridge overnight or use the microwave’s defrost setting.

Reuse Towels More Often – Instead of washing bath towels after every use, hang them to air dry and reuse them a few times before laundering. This cuts down on unnecessary washing and saves water.

Subscribe to Coal Region Canary

Get email updates from Coal Region Canary by becoming a subscriber today. Just enter your email address below to get started!

Support Coal Region Canary

Like our reporting and want to support truly local news in Schuylkill County? Your small donations help. For as little as $5, your contribution will allow us to cover more news that directly affects you. Consider donating today by hitting the big yellow button below ...