The notice applies to customers served by Aqua’s Roaring Creek Water Plant, including residents and businesses in Butler Township, Gordon Borough, and Girardville Borough.
According to Aqua, months of below-normal precipitation have significantly reduced available water supply. Without conservation measures in place, the company warns that customers could face potential service disruptions.
“Cooperation is critical to helping us ensure an adequate water supply,” Aqua said in its announcement. “It takes a long time to get into a drought, and a long time to get out of a drought.”
What is now restricted
Under the mandatory conservation order, all non-essential residential water use is prohibited, including:
- Washing cars, trucks, or other vehicles
- Power washing of any kind
- Using hoses to clean driveways, sidewalks, or patios (brooms should be used instead)
These restrictions will remain in effect until Aqua officially lifts the notice.
How residents can help
Even essential water use should be reduced wherever possible. Aqua is urging customers in Schuylkill County to:
- Turn off the tap while brushing teeth or shaving
- Take shorter showers instead of baths
- Only run dishwashers when full
- Scrape dishes instead of rinsing them before loading
Aqua notes that a 10-minute shower uses about half the water of a full bathtub, making it a more efficient option.
Aqua monitoring conditions
Aqua Pennsylvania says its operations and environmental teams are monitoring water levels daily and will continue to evaluate conditions. A specialized drought response team is also tracking the situation and will notify customers when restrictions can be lifted.
Customers with questions or concerns can contact Aqua at 877-987-2782.
Additional water-saving tips are available at aquawater.com.
Other affected communities
While the impact is being felt locally in Schuylkill County, the Roaring Creek system also serves customers in parts of Northumberland County, including Shamokin, Coal Township, Kulpmont, Mount Carmel Township, Ralpho Township, and Zerbe Township, as well as Columbia County, including Conyngham Township and Centralia Borough.
Residents in all affected areas are urged to follow the same conservation measures to help stabilize the regional water supply.