As sprinkles of welcomed rain fell across the area last night, it still was not enough to make up a deficit building all year.

As the severe drought lingers, Gov. Mark Sanford is encouraging all South Carolinians to voluntarily conserve water.

“As this situation continues, we believe it's incredibly important for all South Carolinians to take individual initiative in doing what they can to conserve water,” Sanford said. “We think these conservation recommendations from DNR are a good step toward that end, and would urge citizens to do what they can at home or at work to impact their own water usage.“

State and local representatives from the South Carolina Drought Response Committee upgraded the drought level to severe for all counties except Beaufort and Jasper on Sept. 5. Drought conditions have continued to deteriorate with significant impacts to most of the streams, lakes and groundwater.

Newberry County Water and Sewer Officials say the county's water supply is still holding its own, and there do not appear to be any problems. They add conservation is still a good idea.

Newberry City Manager Eric Budds says the water supply is good, and currently consumption has decreased. Budds feels with no major changes in the river that the water supply should remain constant. But he warns things could change if soaking rains don't come before spring.

However, forecasters are predicting a mild and dry winter.

Prosperity Mayor Larry Spotts agreed and asked residents to voluntarily conserve.

Whitmire officials say they are also holding their own, and that the river is up and down.

According to the SC Department of Natural Resources' Hydrology Office, 14 of the 17 monitored streams are now at the extreme drought level. Some lakes have declined to levels lower than during the 1998-2002 drought. Over most of the state, rainfall during all months this year, except June, has been below normal, according to the S.C. Department of Natural Resources' State Climatology Office. The deficit is as much as 16 inches in some locations, while many areas experienced the driest ever July to September.

Today's widespread rain will only provide temporary relief, according to state climatologist Hope Mizzell. “We need many months of normal to above normal rainfall, and unfortunately that is not expected. National forecasters are predicting a drier than normal fall and winter due to the developing La Nina.“

With little relief on the horizon, Mizzell urges South Carolinians to now begin voluntary conservation measures. “All water users from the local water systems to the individual homeowner are encouraged to voluntarily conserve water. If we all work together now, we can hopefully avoid more stringent restrictions if the drought does continue.“

Farmers in the area say they are being forced to punch wells and sell cattle as the countryside ponds and pastures dry up.

This year's soybean crop is also a failure with some fields being mowed and plowed up instead of being harvested.

Newberry is one of 13 counties to receive a disaster designation by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture in an urgent request from U.S. Rep. John Spratt (D-SC).

Spratt last month urged the Secretary to act after visiting with 5th District farmers and seeing crops damaged by heat and drought.

“I'm delighted the Secretary has issued the declaration,“ said Spratt. “Corn, cotton, soybeans, hay and pastures are all damaged. We've got some of the worst drought conditions in the country.“

In a Sept. 18 letter, Spratt urged the Secretary to take action because previously announced disaster declarations do not cover the period after Feb. 28, when farmers lost crops to the drought.

The new designation makes farmers who have suffered crop losses eligible to apply for low-interest emergency loans.

In addition to Newberry, the secretary issued a disaster declaration for the following 12 counties in Spratt's district: Cherokee, Chester, Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Fairfield, Florence, Kershaw, Lancaster, Marlboro, Sumter and York. Also, the secretary named Lee County as a contiguous disaster county, making farmers there eligible to apply for similar benefits.

“Farmers are already saddled with debt from previous disasters, but I hope that the low-interest loans will help them weather this most recent disaster,“ Spratt said.

Farmers who think they qualify for benefits should contact their local Farm Service Agency.

Ways to conserve water

Conserve water in he house: