Fernando Alba reports for Syracuse [dot] com that a drought watch for most of upstate New York was lifted as of Oct. 8, state officials said. Columbia, Greene, Albany, Rensselaer, and Schoharie counties are among the 34 counties that returned to normal designations, according to a state Department of Environmental Conservation news release. Recent rainfall and higher levels of ground and surface water led to the watch being lifted, according to the DEC. The DEC continues to encourage New Yorkers to limit water waste by fixing leaks and choosing efficient water fixtures, officials said. Dutchess, Nassau, and Ulster counties are still under drought watch — the first of four drought advisories issued by the DEC. Water restrictions are not in place for the counties under a watch, but residents are encouraged to conserve water by watering lawns only when necessary, raising lawnmowers to keep grass longer and using a broom instead of a hose to clean sidewalks. In August, 49 counties from western New York to the Hudson Valley were under a drought watch. Read the full story at Syracuse [dot] com.