A statewide drought watch remains in effect.

Within that, Warren County is one of 21 counties that, according to the Department of Environmental Protection, still have low groundwater levels, even though precipitation has increased over the last month.

“While not required, residents and non-farm businesses are encouraged to voluntarily conserve water by reducing their nonessential water use,” DEP said in a statement. ”

“Precipitation over the last month has increased, and stream flows are responding. However, longer term precipitation deficits persist in many areas, and groundwater levels remain low in some counties.”

In the northwest, along with Warren, that includes Clarion, Crawford, Elk, Forest, Mercer and Venango.

Eleven counties in the center of the state as well as three in the east were also specifically designated.

“Drought watch declarations aren’t based on one indicator alone, such as rainfall,” the DEP said. “DEP assesses data on precipitation, stream and river flow, groundwater level, and soil moisture and information from public water suppliers.”

The DEP offered several tips for water conservation.

Many are common sense — run the dishwasher and washing machine less often, limit watering lawns, check for household leaks, skip washing cars, take shorter showers and set up a rain barrel.

For gardens, the guidance is to “water only in the cooler evening or morning hours, and direct the water to the ground at the base of the plant,” DEP’s statement said. “Focus on new plantings, which have shallow root systems. Older plants may endure dry conditions longer.”

Guidance also includes, when mowing a lawn, setting the blade two to three inches high.

“Longer grass shades the soil, improving moisture retention,” according to DEP.