Chester Water
Authority P.O. Box 467
Chester, PA 19016
(610) 876-8181
(800) 793-2323
Fall 1999, Vol. 5 No. 3
Drought Emergency: An Alert for Today and
Tomorrow
While some people may have thought of the “Drought of 1999” as
just a summertime inconvenience, the record-breaking low
precipitation was not an isolated situation. A drought doesn’t
happen overnight; it takes a while to get into one, and it takes a
while to get out.
It’s important for everyone to recognize that water is a precious
resource that must be used wisely. Conservation techniques that
people put into place during the drought should be included in
regular water use habits––drought or no drought.
The “Drought of 1999” had its roots in the drought of 1995.
Since then, the region has seen cycles of light summer rainfall
and low winter snow totals. Water tables continued to drop, and
the rain that fell on parched ground ran off or evaporated and was
not absorbed.
This is why Chester Water Authority strongly urges customers to
continue and expand their water conservation efforts such as:
●
Running dishwashers and washing machines only when full.
●
Not running water unnecessarily for any use
●
Filling a pitcher with drinking water and storing it in the
refrigerator so you won’tneed
to run the tap for cool water.
●
Fixing leaks, which waste significant amounts of water. A leaky
toilet can waste 200 gallons in a day, which is as much
asa household of four people uses in a day.
If you have any questions about the Drought of 1999 or if you would
like a free booklet on water conservation, please call the
Authority at (610) 876-8181 or (800) 793-2323.
