Pennsylvania environmental officials Friday lifted a drought watch that has been in place since March for some communities.
The state Department of Environmental Protection lifted the watch for 37 counties based on recommendations from the state's drought task force.
The DEP issued its initial drought watch on March 24 that included Berks, Carbon, Monroe and Schuylkill counties. The state expanded the drought watch in June to include 10 more counties, including Lehigh and Northampton counties.
"We have seen an increase in rainfall in many parts of the state that has restored groundwater levels and stream flow," DEP Secretary John Quigley said in a statement. "While conditions have improved, I would encourage all Pennsylvanians to continue to consider their water use and conserve whenever possible."
DEP officials instituted the drought watch due to below-average precipitation in the fall, winter and spring, leading to low groundwater levels. June's rainfall was above average and monitoring gauges show that stream flows and groundwater levels have returned to normal levels across the state, according to the DEP.
The state's drought task force used reports and forecasts from the National Weather Service and U.S. Geological Survey in making its decision to lift the drought watch, according to the DEP.
Water conservation tips and drought information are available on the DEP website, keyword 'drought.'