Central Pa. borough issues voluntary water conservation notice: reports

Businesses and residents in Chambersburg are being asked to limit their non-essential water use after the reservoir that services the borough dropped below 50%, according to multiple news outlets.

The Town Council of the Borough of Chambersburg on Monday discussed the Long Pine Reservoir, which recently hit 45% capacity according to WGAL, and approved a drought warning notice in the borough.

The voluntary water conservation hopes to reduce non-essential water use by 10% to 15%, WGAL and TriStateAlert reported.

“The thing that makes this bad is we’re at the mercy of whatever nature gives us, I think at this point. We need some rain. We didn’t get the snow through the winter to melt and re-rejuvenate the Long Pine Run reservoir, so we do need some rain. It’ll be interesting to see whether people will voluntarily give up that five or 10% now just with this request, because it’s voluntary. So I’m hoping that they do,” Chambersburg Borough Council President Allen Coffman said, according to TriStateAlert.

Year-to-date data from the National Weather Service shows Franklin County is in a 4-inch rain deficit compared to averages for the region.

The borough’s website included the following list of tips and tricks to conserve water, both inside and outside.

Inside:

• Reducing shower time by a minute or two can save over 100 gallons per month
• Check all fixtures, including toilets, for leaks
• Consider installing WaterSense® labeled toilets, faucets, and showerheads when replacing fixtures
• Match water level to the size of the load when doing laundry
• Turn off water while brushing teeth
• Run a dishwasher only when it is full rather than doing multiple, smaller loads
• Know where your water shut-off valve is located in the event of a major leak

Outside:

• Do not overfill a pool — when filling a pool, do not forget about it, set a timer
• Reduce the amount of water spent on watering plants by landscaping with plants that require less water
• Do not water lawns on windy days or in the heat of the day — most of the water will be lost
• For gardens, water plants deeper into the root system, but less frequently — also consider using a drip irrigation system which most efficiently delivers water to plants
• Do not use water to clean driveways, sidewalks, or patios — use a broom