Drought & Water Conservation Announcements
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February 16, 2026 – Update from DEP on the continued drought in Pennsylvania – Franklin County is under a Drought Warning
After the February 18, 2026, meeting of the Commonwealth Drought Task Force, several changes were made to the prior drought declaration.
- The following counties have been issued a Drought Watch: Allegheny, Blair, Bucks, Centre, Columbia, Dauphin, Delaware, Montgomery, Montour, Philadelphia, and York.
- The following counties have had their drought status elevated to Drought Warning: Adams, Berks, Carbon, Chester, Cumberland, Franklin, Huntington, Juniata, Lancaster, Lehigh, Mifflin, Northampton, Northumberland, Perry, Schuylkill, Union.
These updates bring the total number of counties under Drought Watch to 34. The counties currently in Drought Watch are Allegheny, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Bradford, Bucks, Butler, Cambria, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Dauphin, Delaware, Indiana, Jefferson, Lackawanna, Lawrence, Lebanon, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mercer, Monroe, Montgomery, Montour, Philadelphia, Pike, Snyder, Somerset, Tioga, Venango, Washington, and York. There are currently 17 counties under Drought Warning. The counties currently in Drought Warning are Adams, Berks, Carbon, Chester, Cumberland, Franklin, Fulton, Huntington, Juniata, Lancaster, Lehigh, Mifflin, Northampton, Northumberland, Perry, Schuylkill, and Union.
These changes reflect worsening conditions across Pennsylvania. Several areas of the Commonwealth—particularly in the south-central and eastern parts of the Commonwealth—continue to experience declining groundwater levels and persistent precipitation deficits.
Other areas of the Commonwealth may also be experiencing localized drought issues.
Residents should always pay attention to any information they receive from their local water supplier. Varying localized conditions may lead water suppliers or municipalities to ask residents to continue conservation measures.
The Department always encourages residents to voluntarily conserve nonessential water use.
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January 8, 2026 – Update from DEP on the continued drought in Pennsylvania
After the January 8, 2026, meeting of the Commonwealth Drought Task Force, several changes were made to the prior drought declaration.
- The following counties have been issued a Drought Watch: Berks, Bedford, Chester, Cumberland, Huntingdon, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lebanon, Luzerne, Mifflin, and Snyder.
- Fulton County has been elevated to Drought Warning status.
- The following counties have returned to Normal conditions: Cameron, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, McKean, Potter, and Warren.
These updates bring the total number of counties under Drought Watch to 40. The counties currently in Drought Watch are: Adams, Beaver, Bedford, Berks, Bradford, Butler, Cambria, Carbon, Chester, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Cumberland, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Indiana, Jefferson, Juniata, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lawrence, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mercer, Mifflin, Monroe, Northampton, Northumberland, Perry, Pike, Schuylkill, Snyder, Somerset, Tioga, Union, Venango, and Washington. Fulton County is in Drought Warning.
These changes reflect the varied precipitation patterns and uneven groundwater recovery observed across Pennsylvania. While some regions have benefited from increased rainfall over the past several months and improved streamflow, others—particularly in the south-central and eastern parts of the Commonwealth—continue to experience declining groundwater levels and persistent precipitation deficits.
Other areas of the Commonwealth may also be experiencing localized drought issues.
Residents should always pay attention to any information they receive from their local water supplier. Varying localized conditions may lead water suppliers or municipalities to ask residents to continue conservation measures.
The Department always encourages residents to voluntarily conserve nonessential water use.
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January 1, 2026 – Update on Water Conservation
- Water Update to Residents – Water Authority Updates 01012026
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December 4, 2025 – Update from DEP on the continued drought in Pennsylvania
After the December 4, 2025, meeting of the Commonwealth Drought Task Force, a Drought Watch has been issued for 8-more counties in the Commonwealth.
Adams, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton, Northumberland, Perry, Pike, and Union counties are now under a drought watch.
This brings the total number of counties under Drought Watch to 37
The total list of counties in Drought Watch include: Adams, Beaver, Bradford, Butler, Cambria, Cameron, Carbon, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Franklin, Fulton, Indiana, Jefferson, Juniata, Lawrence, Lehigh, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Monroe, Northampton, Northumberland, Perry, Pike, Potter, Schuylkill, Somerset, Tioga, Union, Venango, Warren, and Washington.
Other areas of the Commonwealth may also be experiencing localized drought issues.
Residents should always pay attention to any information they receive from their local water supplier. Varying localized conditions may lead water suppliers or municipalities to ask residents to continue conservation measures.
The Department always encourages residents to voluntarily conserve nonessential water use.
After the October 10, 2025 meeting of the Commonwealth Drought Task Force, a Drought Watch has been issued for 4 counties in the Commonwealth.
Carbon, Franklin, Fulton, and Juniata Counties are now under a drought watch.
This brings the total number of counties under Drought Watch to 29
The total list of counties in Drought Watch include: Beaver, Bradford, Butler, Cambria, Cameron, Carbon, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Franklin, Fulton, Indiana, Jefferson, Juniata, Lawrence, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Potter, Schuylkill, Somerset, Tioga, Venango, Warren, and Washington
Other areas of the Commonwealth may also be experiencing localized drought issues.
Residents should always pay attention to any information they receive from their local water supplier. Varying localized conditions may lead water suppliers or municipalities to ask residents to continue conservation measures.
The Department always encourages residents to voluntarily conserve nonessential water use.
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September 29, 2025 – Update on 23-Counties in Pennsylvania that have been issued a Drought Watch (Franklin County is not one).
After the September 29, 2025, meeting of the Commonwealth Drought Task Force, a drought watch has been issued for 25 counties in the Commonwealth.
Beaver, Bradford, Butler, Cambria, Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Indiana, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Potter, Schuylkill, Somerset, Tioga, Venango, Warren, Washington Counties are now under a drought watch.
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July 3, 2025 – Update on Mandatory Water Conservation and Franklin County Drought
- Please click the link on an update on all water customers of the Mont Alto Municipal Authority Mont Alto Municipal Authority – Updates 250701
- rought Information from DEP – The drought for Franklin County was lifted July 2, 2025 – Click on the link for further information from DEP https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dep/programs-and-services/water/bureau-of-safe-drinking-water/interstate-water-resources-management-division/drought-information.html
After the July 2, 2025, meeting of the Commonwealth Drought Task Force, a drought watch has been lifted for the remaining eight counties that were previously in a drought watch.
Berks, Chester, Cumberland, Delaware, Franklin, Lehigh, Philadelphia and Washington Counties all returned to a normal status.
While all of the Commonwealth has officially returned to a normal status concerning drought, there may be pockets of the Commonwealth that continue to experience a slow recovery. The drought conditions in late 2024 were significant and in some areas were the driest on record since 2002.
Residents should always pay attention to any information they receive from their local water supplier. Varying localized conditions may lead water suppliers or municipalities to ask residents to continue conservation measures.
The Department always encourages residents to conserve water.
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April 1, 2025 – Update on the Mandatory Water Conservation and steps being taken.
Please click on the link below to read an update from the Mont Alto Municipal Authority. The letter was included in each water customer’s April utility bill.
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January 15, 2025 – Update to the water customers of the Mont Alto Municipal Authority.
- Please click on link for further information: Update to all water customers of the Mont Alto Municipal Authority
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November 4, 2024 – Update on the Mandatory Water Conservation and steps being taken.
- Please click the link below to read the letter from the Mont Alto Municipal Authority that went out in each resident and water customer’s November Utility bills.
- Water Conservation Letter to Residents and Customers
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November 1, 2024 – DEP (Department of Environmental Protection), issued Franklin County into a Drought Watch.
- Please click the link below for further information from the DEP website.
- https://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Water/PlanningConservation/Drought/pages/default.aspx
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August 1, 2024 – Mandatory Water Conservation
- On July 9, 2024, The Mont Alto Municipal Authority implemented a Voluntary Water Conservation. However, with the lack of rainfall the water flows have been extremely low. The Mont Alto Municipal Authority has now upgraded the situation to Mandatory Water Conservation. Below is a link to a flyer that will be in with the August utility bills explaining the current conditions.
- MAMA Mandatory Water Conservation 240801
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Water Line Material
Copper Lead Service Lines Letter – Click Link to review procedures in identifying the material of your water line coming into your home. Letter mailed out with May 2024 Utility Bills.
Unknown Service Line Letter – Letter mailed to residents with unknown service line material in November 2024.
Galvanized Line Letter – Letter mailed to residents with galvanized service line material in November 2024.
Click the following link to learn more about the Lead & Copper Rule with DEP – https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dep/programs-and-services/water/bureau-of-safe-drinking-water/drinking-water-management/drinking-water-regulations/lead-and-copper-rule.html
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CCR – (Consumer Confidence Report) – Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
2025 CCR Annual Quality Drinking Report
2024 CCR – Annual Quality Drinking Report
2023 CCR – Annual Quality Drinking Report
2022 CCR – Annual Quality Drinking Report
2021 CCR – Annual Quality Drinking Report
2020 CCR – Annual Quality Drinking Report
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Rate Chart for Utilities – Click link to review the current Water & Sewer Rates
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Current Water rates have been in effect since February 2021.
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Current Sewer rates have been in effect since September 2011.
Water & Sewer Rate Comparisons – Comparison of Rates for Water and Sewer with Surrounding Boroughs/Townships
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Common Water Leaks
The most common water leak in a home is through a toilet. Most likely it is due to an old or worn-out flapper (valve seal) located inside the toilet tank.
To check for a toilet leak:
– Remove the tank cover. Put in Food Coloring or Kool-Aid into the tank.
– DO NOT FLUSH!
– Wait about 30-minutes or even longer.
– If the water in the toilet bowl is clear, there are no leaks.
– If the water in the toilet bowl has turned colors, there is a leak in the tank.
Additional water leaks in a home: Faucets, Showerheads, Hot Water Heater Tanks, Sewer Line and Under the Home’s Foundation.
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FAQ’s – Click on the link below to see the most common questions and answers for the Mont Alto Municipal Authority.
FAQ’s – Most Common Asked Questions