A Lancaster County water authority is asking customers to limit non-essential water usage due to a recent dry spell across central Pennsylvaniaaccording to an announcement Tuesday.

THE Hempfield Water Authoritywhich provides water to more than 20,000 people in East/West Hempfield Township, is asking all of its customers to use water only when essential, citing a “moderate drought” in the county.

Examples of non-essential water use include: watering lawns/gardens and washing cars, driveways or sidewalks, the ad states.

The announcement also included the following tips and tricks for saving water, although conservation efforts are currently voluntary:

• Locate and repair all leaks in faucets, toilets and water-using appliances
• Adjust all water-using devices to use the minimum amount of water
• Run the dishwasher and washing machine at full load. If you wash dishes by hand, use a bucket or container filled with soapy water and only use the faucet to quickly rinse the washed dishes.
• Take five-minute showers and shallower baths. Turn off the shower while you soap; turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, etc.
• Install flow restrictors in shower heads and faucets
• Reduce the number of toilet flushes per day. Each flush uses approximately five to seven gallons. Reduce water consumption per flush by installing toilet tank mover inserts. (Low flush toilets use approximately 1.6 gallons per day and do not require moving the toilet tank)
• Use sink and bathtub stoppers to avoid wasting water
• Store a bottle of chilled drinking water in the refrigerator instead of running the water until it cools.
• Install a rain barrel so you’re ready to reuse the rain when it falls
• Track your water bill and meter to reduce daily household water consumption

The Hempfield Water Authority will notify its customers if non-essential water use becomes prohibited in the future.

Several burn bans have also been issued in central Pennsylvania, including the municipalities of Lancaster, Dolphin And York counties. Nearly half of Pennsylvania’s counties have recently been hit by drought. watches Also.

To stay up to date on drought conditions throughout Pennsylvania, check the state Department of Environmental Protection website.