The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority draws from the Allegheny River to provide drinking water. Though drought conditions are uncommon in our area, a drought watch or advisory can be issued occasionally with recommendations to residents and businesses on actions they can take to conserve water.
Current Drought Information
Allegheny County is currently under drought watch, issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for our region. To learn more about our current drought status, visit the DEP's Drought Information Page.
Under a drought watch, conservation is voluntary - use water wisely and follow simple water conservation tips to ease the demand for water.
The condition of the Allegheny River, our source drinking water, remains typical for this time of year and no impacts to Pittsburgh Water’s operations have been observed.
Drought conditions may arise even if it is raining currently as drought is more influenced by longer term trends than weekly forecasts. A winter with below average snowfall and a dry spring can lead to a drought declaration in the summer, for example.
The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority continuously monitors the conditions of our source water, the Allegheny River, as well as conditions and advisories originating within the Commonwealth.
Residents and businesses working together to conserve water helps our local region and waterways during dry weather.
Check Water Usage & Fix Leaks
- Track your household's water usage on our online customer portal and receive alerts when there is a spike in water usage. Learn more on our Check Your Water Usage page.
- Detect and repair leaks from common household sources such as toilets, faucets, showerheads, and gardening hoses. Learn more on our Leak Detection page.
- Our Customer Advantage Portal is a free tool where customers can track their usage and receive alerts when there is a spike in water usage. Setting usage alerts can help you detect costly water leaks in your property.
- Eligible customers can enroll in the Line Repair and Water Conservation Pilot Program. This new program offers income-qualified customers with in-home plumbing repairs and enrollment in the Customer Advantage Portal. Learn more on our Customer Assistance Programs page.
Practices to Conserve Water
- Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth to save 8 gallons per day.
- Turn off the faucet while lathering soap, shaving and when washing your hands
- Turn off the faucet while washing dishes
- Take a shorter shower to save between two and five gallons of water each minute
- Run dishwashers and washing machines less often
- Sweep your sidewalk, steps, and driveway instead of hosing off those areas
- Wait to water your plants or water in the morning or early evening to reduce water lost to evaporation
- When mowing your lawn, set the blades 2-3 inches high. Longer grass shades the soil, improving moisture retention.
- Collect rainwater in a barrel or bucket to use in your garden or on your lawn
- Visit commercial car washes that recycle water
Appliances
- Using an efficient dishwasher instead of washing dishes by hand and save 5,000 gallons of water each year
- Switching to an efficient clothes washer can save 2,000 gallons of water every year
- Replacing an older toilet with an efficient model can save between 4,000 and 10,000 gallons of water a year
More Resources
Learn more about water conservation tips and water-saving products on the EPA's WaterSense webpage.