BOYERTOWN PA – Continued dry conditions, resulting from a lack of rainfall in and around Boyertown, prompted the borough Wednesday (Nov. 11, 2026) to implement mandatory restrictions on non-essential water use.
The borough and its water authority put “Stage II Drought Restrictions” into effect.
Under its guidelines, the borough says, certain types of water uses are forbidden.
- Watering lawns or landscaping must end until the restrictions are lifted.
- Vehicle owners are asked to stop washing cars or trucks at home, which often uses more water than a commercial wash.
- All other non-essential water uses should be discontinued.
- All residential, commercial, and institutional water customers are strongly suggested to reduce their overall water consumption by 10% to 20%.
- All water customers also are asked to try additional conservation measures. Among the options? Take shorter showers. Run dishwashers and washing machines only with full loads. Repair leaking faucets and fixtures.
Photo by Andres Siimon on Unsplash, used under license
Drought Restrictions on Local Restaurants
“Restaurants and other food service establishments,” according to officials, are asked to stop “automatically serving water to customers.” They “are prohibited from” providing drinking water to patrons “unless it is specifically requested.”
Research cited by the international Green Restaurant Association, founded in 1990, indicates there’s more at stake than just the water a customer drinks.
There’s also the amount that isn’t consumed. It gets poured down the sink, wasted. Beyond that, water is needed to wash the glass. More is needed to rinse the glass.
Consequently a single glass of water – maybe 12 ounces or so? – may actually require up to 2 gallons, the association states. Proponents claim the estimated potential savings from water-only-by-requests could result in thousands of gallons annually.
If you’re in a restaurant and want water to drink, ask for it! Otherwise, choosing a different beverage could be worthwhile.
Our reporting on local dining covers activities and events of restaurants, and food or beverage suppliers, within Montgomery, Berks, and Chester PA counties. Find more articles here. Also, see or follow “Pottstown Foodie” on Facebook.
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