------DROUGHT WATCH-------
Notice: To Users of water in the Gettysburg Municipal Authority water system
DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley, on behalf of Governor Josh Shapiro, announced drought declaration on November 01, 2024, for 35 counties. The declarations are in response to consistent dry conditions. Pennsylvania received very little rain over September and October, capping off a dry six months.
The Authority is asking that water customers reduce water use by approximately five percent (5%) through voluntary conservation measures. Conservation tips are listed below.
This request will remain in effect until further notice. The Gettysburg Municipal Authority is asking for the cooperation of all Authority customers.
Conservation Tips
Leaks:
- Check toilets for leaks. Use a “leak detector” tablet or food coloring in your tank. If later, without flushing, dye appears in the bowl, you have a leak.
- Check faucets and pipes for leaks. The smallest drip can waste up to 20 gallons or more per day.
Kitchen & Laundry:
- Run only full loads in your dishwasher and washing machine.
- When selecting appliances, choose energy and water efficient models.
- When hand washing dishes, don’t leave the water running for rinsing. If you have two sinks, fill one with soapy water for washing and one with rinse water. If not, gather washed dishes in a dish rack and rinse them with a spray device.
- For food preparation, rinse food in a stopped sink instead of under a steady stream of water.
- Keep a bottle of drinking water in the refrigerator and avoid running the tap until the water is cold.
Bathroom:
- Don’t use the toilet as a trash can. Each flush wastes up to 5 gallons of water.
- Install water saving shower heads or flow restrictor.
- Shorten showers to reduce water usage.
- Turn off water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
Outside:
- Water your lawn and plants in the early morning or evening hours to prevent evaporation.
- Plan for deeper soaking watering rather than frequent sprinklings.
- Set your lawn mower one notch higher to limit water evaporation.
- When using a hose, control the flow with an automatic shut off nozzle.
- Check sprinkler heads and valves for leaks.
- Mulch around plants and shrubs to save moisture.
- Grow drought tolerant plants in your garden.
- Cover pools with pool covers to cut evaporation by 90%.
- Use a broom instead of a hose to clean sidewalks and driveways.
- Use a bucket and a hose with a shut-off valve to wash vehicles.
- Prevent leaks by disconnecting hoses and shutting off outdoor water during cold weather.
Notice to Customers
There has been a lot of talk in the news about PFAS contamination and “forever chemicals” in our environment. PFAS are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances that are widely used and long lasting. Gettysburg Municipal Authority wants you to know we are following this issue closely and preparing to take any action necessary to ensure that your drinking water is safe and healthy. So far PFAS have been detected in two of the Authority’s wells at levels below the current PA Department of Environmental Protection limits. The US Environmental Protection Agency is expected to issue final PFAS regulations later this year and a comprehensive, year-long monitoring program is set to start early in 2024 that will look for 29 different PFAS chemicals in each water source. While more information is being gathered and regulations are being finalized, we will continue to focus our efforts on providing the best and highest quality drinking water to you our customer.
