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LOCK HAVEN -- Even with snow melt and recent rain, the City of Lock Haven and Suburban Water Authorities water customers are still under a stage two drought watch.
Jared Gist, superintendent of the city's public works department, said the stage will remain in effect as spring and warmer temperatures near.
"With the current rain and snow melt, Keller Reservoir in McElhatten is back up to coming over the spillway, however, Ohl Reservoir in Loganton does not recover as fast and is still around five feet low, which is one of the parameters for declaring a Stage II drought," Gist told The Express.
The news came after Gist met with representatives of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the city's engineer, Gwin Dobson and Foreman.
Gist said the Stage II Drought Watch means water customers for the city, and those who are billed through Suburban Water which utilizes the reservoirs, are requiring a 20 percent mandatory reduction in water usage.
This point was reiterated by City Planner/Interim Manager Abbey Roberts at council's meeting on Monday night.
"With the recent rain we thought it would be good to update city council and the public that we are still in stage two drought warning after consulting with DEP and the city's engineers," Roberts told council.
Roberts said the city is continuing to work through some of the infrastructure issues regarding holding tanks and pumps to reduce water loss.
"So we're dealing with an offset of supply and there just isn't enough to clear us from that stage two yet," she said.
Roberts said the city will also not flush fire hydrants during the drought.
"We ask residents, businesses -- all water customers -- to reduce their usage," she said. "We know spring is coming up and there might be some spring cleaning. But please remember to not wash your cars or powerwash the house."
Roberts said holding back on an unnecessary use of water would help return the reservoirs back to their proper levels.
When the drought watch was initially announced in November, the city cited restrictions to its customers to help reduce by 20 percent, which is roughly 175 gallons per week.
The following restrictions remain in place:
-- The use of hoses, sprinklers or other means for sprinkling or watering of shrubbery, trees, lawns, grass, plants, vines, gardens, vegetables, flowers or any other vegetation.
-- The use of water for washing automobiles, trucks, trailers, trailer houses or any other type of mobile equipment.
-- The washing of streets, driveways, parking lots, service station aprons, office buildings, exteriors of homes, sidewalks, apartments or other outdoor surfaces.
-- The operation of any ornamental fountain or other similar structure.
-- The use of water from fire hydrants for construction purposes or fire drills.
-- The use of water to flush a sewer line or sewer manhole.
-- The use of water for commercial farms and nurseries other than a bare minimum to preserve plants, crops and livestock.
It was previously reported by then-manager Gregory Wilson that commercial users are also restricted in water usage. At the time, he told council during the last drought watch First Quality was the first to willingly reduce water consumption.
For tips on how to reduce water consumption, visit the city's website, www.lockhavenpa.gov.