Waterworks Blog
When it’s time to toss the tree, keep it green
December 29, 2016The holidays are almost over and you’re tired of vacuuming up pine needles five times a day. When it’s time to take down that tree, though, don’t just toss it out with the trash — consider a more eco-friendly solution instead. Residents of Bethlehem and Allentown can set their tree out for curbside pickup…
An interactive map of the Little Lehigh
December 10, 2016The map below illustrates how the Little Lehigh (dark blue) flows from Berks County and through our service area before eventually connecting with the Lehigh River in Allentown. Tributaries are in light blue. The red lines indicate transmission mains. The map is interactive. Use the >> function in the map’s upper left corner to turn…
Well conditions close to the Little Lehigh Creek
December 7, 2016Lehigh County Authority operates two wells close to the Little Lehigh: Well 8 and Well 12. Both of these wells continue to show normal water levels and are not approaching drought levels. Data for Well 8 since January 2010 is below. You can see that the water level in the well has been fairly steady….
Water source trends in the Little Lehigh Basin since the 1970s
December 5, 2016Where do we draw the water used across the Little Lehigh Basin? The graph below shows how our water sources have changed over time. Back in 1977, water users in the Little Lehigh Basin were using 30 million gallons a day, most of which came from the City of Allentown’s sources: the Little Lehigh adjacent…
Little Lehigh Flow Rates in Allentown
December 1, 2016The U.S. Geological Survey monitors the flow of the Little Lehigh in two locations: one in the Little Lehigh Parkway at the “Robin Hood Bridge” just to the right as you drive down the hill into the park from 15th Street, and one at the 10th Street Bridge, just downstream from the City’s water intake. Here…
Some water-saving tips for cold weather
November 29, 2016Even though it looks like the Lehigh Valley region is in for some heavy rain over the next few days, we’re nowhere near out of the woods when it comes to the DEP’s drought warning. That calls for all of us to make some smart decisions when it comes to water use. As we’ve stated…
How much water does that Thanksgiving feast gobble up?
November 22, 2016With Thanksgiving right around the corner, we thought it would be fun to take a look at the amount of water it takes to make some of our favorite foods. For this experiment, we turned to the Los Angles Times and used their interactive graphic, which measures the amount of water it takes to produce…
Conserving Water is Critical During “Drought Warning”
November 22, 2016Lehigh County Authority is monitoring conditions along the Little Lehigh Creek where water flow has dried up in some locations, but flowing fine (albeit low) in other locations. Reports indicate this is due to the limestone geology in this region where the creek flows in and out of the local groundwater aquifer. It is not…
Lack of rainfall since January 2015 shown in chart
November 19, 2016The primary reason our rivers and creeks have been low: lack of precipitation. The table below shows monthly precipitation amounts since January of 2015. Most of the last 22 months have been significantly below the average – especially since March of this year. Rainfall increases the natural runoff into streams and rivers. It also recharges…
Get pipes, water meter ready for cold weather
November 10, 2016It’s been a relatively warm fall so far — the third warmest on record — but don’t take a kinder, gentler autumn for granted. Instead, use the time wisely and ensure your house’s plumbing is ready for winter. Before the big chill hits, check your house to make sure your water meter and any water lines that…