This is the prevailing response of emergency management agency directors in Jefferson, Clearfield, and Elk counties to the area's drought situation.
"The ground water levels have gone up with the recent rainfall," Jefferson County EMA Director Tracey Zents said. "We're looking better than we were, but we're not out of the woods yet."
Currently, Elk and portions of Jefferson and Clearfield counties are under a voluntary conservation.
"The rain is helping, but no one has lifted, from the state standpoint, the drought issue for Elk County," Elk County EMA Director Mike McAllister said.
DuBois, Sandy Township, Sykesville Borough and Union Township - all served by DuBois Reservoir - are still under mandatory conservation.
According to DuBois Mayor John "Herm" Suplizio, the mandatory conservation has been in effect for one month. In that time, the water level has raised 1 inch.
Wallaceton Borough, Goshen Township, and Irvona Borough are also under mandatory conservation.
As of Tuesday, Clearfield County is 9 1/2 inches below the normal rainfall level.
"Our concerns are, all the water systems are below the normal stage. If we continue to have such a dry season it could affect the drinking water and overall water quality in the area," Jerry Pollock, Clearfield County EMA director, said.
In October, Jefferson County has measured 2.72 inches of rainfall, however, this number can be deceiving. For example, in the Warsaw area, Jack Johnson measured 3.42 inches in October, whereas Washington Township's Linda Holmes measured 1.74 inches, according to the Jefferson County Rain Gauge Watchers newsletter.
"All the municipalities are watching the water levels very closely. My speculation is, if we don't start getting rain and water, the potential is still there that we are going to have problems," Zents said.
During the phone interview with McAllister, Elk County did not have a measurement available.
When a drought watch comes into effect, its classification comes from the state department of the Department of Environmental Protection. The county is responsible to provide information on rainfall. It also has the option of providing recommendations to DEP.
"Right now, we don't plan on it getting any worse," Zents said. "We have formed a drought task force which includes members of law enforcement and municipal water authorities. So right now, everyone is keeping an eye on it."
Clearfield County has also set up a drought committee to monitor the levels of the water companies and municipal authorities.
In the event a drought would near an emergency alarm, each municipality has their own drought contingency plan based on their available water source.
"The county itself, doesn't own the water supply for the municipalities. So basically, if they come back and have a problem we'll assist them in notification, but we do not implement that directly," McAllister said.
By word of mouth, Elk County EMA heard some wells and springs have dried. Despite this, there were no resource requests made through the Elk County office.
Jefferson and Clearfield county EMAs have also said for a period of time some individual wells were without water.
"The people with dry wells were hauling water in by their own means or the fire department would assist, however no critical situations occurred," Zents said.
Pollock said the National Weather Service has predicted the winter will bring a decrease in the average precipitation.
"Fortunately, we're not at the critical stages, but it won't take long to get us there," Pollock said.
Over a month ago, people were told to ask Mother Nature for rain. Now, snowfall is needed to create an adequate spring water level.
"People say they don't like snow, but when it thaws in the spring it starts to replenish the water level," Zents said. "If we don't get significant snowfall, we will really be in trouble in the spring and summer, especially with wildfires and overall water issues."
Each of the county EMA directors urge residents to continue to conserve.
"We want people to watch what they do, even when there is not a drought or water problem - conserving water is always a good thing," McAllister said.







