Rain shortfall prompts water conservation notice in Bedford

EVERETT, Pa. (WTAJ) — With rain scarce this summer, and low water levels in the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River, a mandatory water conservation notice is in affect in Bedford.

The Borough of Bedford sent the notice July 15. The measure comes amid drought conditions that have impacted the county and region for most of the summer. To help conserve water, residents are prohibited from nonessential water uses including watering lawns and gardens, washing paved surfaces and operating decorative water fountains and artificial waterfalls.

Kenny Stanton, owner and operator of Manor Meadows Dairy Farm in Everett, said his family doesn't remember having a summer this hot and dry since the early 1980's.

"We've had dry summers. I don't remember one this bad. My dad says he remembers one in the '80s. He thinks it was either '82 or '83, that it took 250 acres of corn to feed their herd of 70 cows back then and that's just unheard of," Stanton said.