MAWC Announces Shift to Voluntary Water Conservation After Recent Precipitation Increases
The Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County (MAWC) has updated its water conservation advisory for customers relying on the Beaver Run Reservoir, signaling a positive turn in water levels after recent weather conditions. Following a significant increase in reservoir levels, the authority has shifted from mandatory to voluntary water conservation measures.
Recent Developments
Since January 9, the Beaver Run Reservoir witnessed a remarkable rise of 6 feet, attributed to 4.77 inches of rainfall, which introduced approximately 1.658 billion gallons of water into the reservoir. This recovery comes as a relief after the authority had to enforce conservation measures due to a decrease in water levels and operational challenges posed by seasonal weather patterns.
Voluntary Conservation Efforts
The MAWC initially called for a 5% reduction in water usage on November 17, 2023, as part of its Drought Contingency Plan. The transition to Stage I, or voluntary conservation, encourages residents to continue their efforts in reducing water usage, albeit without the pressure of mandatory restrictions.
Michael F. Kukura, MAWC Resident Manager, commended the community’s efforts, stating, “It’s evident that the customers are doing what they can and that is greatly appreciated…every drop counts. Hopefully, Mother Nature continues to do her part as well.”
Current Reservoir Status
Despite the improvement, the reservoir’s water level is still about 5.5 feet below the average ending elevation for January and 6.7 feet lower than the previous year’s ending level. The MAWC remains vigilant, focusing on reducing leaks and unnecessary water loss, and is exploring operational adjustments to further decrease the demand on Beaver Run Reservoir.
Conservation Tips
Residents are encouraged to visit MAWC’s website for tips on conserving water both inside and outside the home. Suggestions include turning off faucets while brushing teeth, using buckets to catch shower water for recycling, and employing water-efficient methods for gardening and cleaning exterior areas.
Staying Informed
For those in the affected areas, an interactive map and a searchable list of addresses under conservation directives are available for reference. The MAWC urges all customers to stay informed and continue their conservation efforts to ensure the sustainability of water resources.
For more detailed water conservation tips and to check if you are in the affected area, visit: MAWC Conservation Tips
