Drought Watch Lifted – Effective 08/24/2023

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) announced on August 24, 2023 after a meeting of the Commonwealth Drought Task Force that the drought watch has been lifted for 47 counties and remains for 20 counties. Centre County is among the 47 counties that the drought watch has been lifted. You can review the full press release here.

Thank you for your assistance in conserving water during this time. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our Authority office at 814-355-4778.

Sincerely,

Benner Township Water Authority

Drought Watch – Effective 06/15/2023

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) has issued a drought watch across multiple counties including Centre. The declaration is in response to low stream flows, declining groundwater levels, and below-normal precipitation primarily across counties in the northern and eastern portions of Pennsylvania.

Residents are asked to reduce water use by 5%-10% through voluntary conservation measures.

Ways to conserve water at home:

• Run water only when necessary. Don’t let the faucet run while brushing your teeth or shaving. Shorten the time you let the water run to warm up before showering. 

• Run the dishwasher and washing machine less often, and only with full loads.

• Water your garden in the cooler evening or morning hours, and direct the water to the ground at the base of the plant, so you don’t waste water through evaporation.

• Water your lawn only if necessary. Apply no more than 1 inch of water per week (use an empty can to determine how long it takes to water 1 inch). Avoid watering on windy and hot days. This pattern will encourage healthier, deeper grass roots. Over-watering is wasteful, encourages fungal growth and disease, and results in shallow, compacted root systems that are more susceptible to drought.

• When mowing your lawn, set the blades to 2-3 inches high. Longer grass shades the soil, improving moisture retention. It also grows thicker and develops a deeper root system, so it can better survive drought.

• Check for and repair household leaks. For example, a leaking toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water daily.

• Sweep your sidewalk, deck, or driveway instead of hosing it off.

• Replace older appliances with high-efficiency, front-loading models that use about 30 percent less water and 40-50 percent less energy.

• Install low-flow plumbing fixtures and aerators on faucets.

• Set up a rain barrel to be ready to repurpose rain when it does fall. 

For more information please use the Drought Information Center on PA DEP’s website : https://www.dep.pa.gov/business/water/planningconservation/drought/pages/default.aspx

Water Leak Detection – Hampton Hills/Opequon Residents – October 2022

** Update 10/24/2022 @ 8:46 AM **

Water service has been restored to Buttercup Way. If you experience any issues please don’t hesitate to contact our Authority office at 814-355-4778.

** Update 10/24/2022 @ 7:31 AM **

Buttercup Way Residents – Water will be off on 10/24/2022 from 8:30 AM through 11:00 AM. We apologize for any inconvenience. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.

** Update 10/21/2022 @ 2:52 PM **

The Benner Township Water Authority is still looking for the water leak. There is a planned interruption in water service scheduled for Monday, October 24, 2022 starting at 3:00 a.m. through 5:00 a.m. Residents may experience a loss in water pressure during this time.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our Authority office at 814-355-4778.

** 10/20/2022 @ Update 11:35 AM **

Opequon residents may experience loss in water from 12:30 p.m. through 1:30 p.m. today, 10/20/2022.

10/20/2022

Attention Hampton Hills & Opequon Residents:

The Benner Township Water Authority is currently looking for a water leak within your neighborhood. You may experience a difference in water pressure during this time.

We will keep this page updated as more information becomes available. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.

Sincerely,

Benner Township Water Authority

Drought Watch Declaration

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) has issues a drought watch across multiple counties including Centre. The declaration is in response to low stream flows, declining groundwater levels, and below-normal precipitation primarily across counties in the northern and eastern portions of Pennsylvania.

Residents are asked to reduce water use by 5%-10% through voluntary conservation measures.

Ways to conserve water at home:

• Run water only when necessary. Don’t let the faucet run while brushing your teeth or shaving. Shorten the time you let the water run to warm up before showering. 

• Run the dishwasher and washing machine less often, and only with full loads.

• Water your garden in the cooler evening or morning hours, and direct the water to the ground at the base of the plant, so you don’t waste water through evaporation.

• Water your lawn only if necessary. Apply no more than 1 inch of water per week (use an empty can to determine how long it takes to water 1 inch). Avoid watering on windy and hot days. This pattern will encourage healthier, deeper grass roots. Over-watering is wasteful, encourages fungal growth and disease, and results in shallow, compacted root systems that are more susceptible to drought.

• When mowing your lawn, set the blades to 2-3 inches high. Longer grass shades the soil, improving moisture retention. It also grows thicker and develops a deeper root system, so it can better survive drought.

• Check for and repair household leaks. For example, a leaking toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water daily.

• Sweep your sidewalk, deck, or driveway instead of hosing it off.

• Replace older appliances with high-efficiency, front-loading models that use about 30 percent less water and 40-50 percent less energy.

• Install low-flow plumbing fixtures and aerators on faucets.

• Set up a rain barrel to be ready to repurpose rain when it does fall. 

For more information please use the Drought Information Center on PA DEP’s website : https://www.dep.pa.gov/business/water/planningconservation/drought/pages/default.aspx

Fire Hydrant/Water Main Flushing – August 2022

Benner Township Water Authority will begin water main and fire hydrant flushing the morning of August 16, 2022 in Grove Park and Hampton Hills. Residents may experience temporary discoloration of water and a temporary reduction in water pressure between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact our Authority office at 814-355-4778. Sincerely,Benner Township Water Authority

Quarterly Blow Offs – 03/22/2022

Benner Township Water Authority will be completing quarterly blow offs on March 22, 2022. Residents may experience low water pressure during this time.

Grove Park residents may experience a difference in water pressure at approximately 10:00 a.m.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact our Authority office.

Thank you for your understanding.

Water Main/ Fire Hydrant Flushing

Benner Township Water Authority will begin water main flushing and fire hydrant flushing the week of 08/19/2019 and will continue for the next three weeks. Residents may experience temporary discoloration of water and a temporary reduction in water pressure between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Thank you for your patience and understanding,

Benner Township Water Authority

Water Usage Facts

Water usage facts that you probably did not know in regards to how much your daily tasks are actually using.
  • Older toilets use 3.5 gallons per flush
  • Dishwashers use 7 gallons per cycle
  • Washing dishes by hand uses roughly 20 gallons
  • It takes about 30 gallons to fill the bath tub, taking a shower uses less water
  • Swimming pools naturally lose about 1,000 gallons per month due to evaporation

Water Usage Table

Other Related Links:

5 Facts about Water Use In your Home by Allstate

Residential Water Usage Facts by Katy News

Indoor Water Use At Home by Grace Communications Foundation

Statistics and Facts by EPA

100 Amazing Water Facts You Should Know by Seametrics