HISTORIC TRIANGLE— The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) is continuing to encourage all Virginians to pay attention to current drought warnings and watches throughout the commonwealth.
Residents in the Historic Triangle are currently under a drought warning according to the VDEQ.
According to James City County, a Drought Warning Advisory is intended to increase awareness that the onset of a significant drought event is imminent. Under the James City Service Authority’s (JCSA) Water Conservation Plan, a Drought Warning Advisory triggers voluntary water conservation measures.
Current weather forecasts for the week show chances of showers throughout the area with new precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Virginia would need to see days of steady rainfall to return to normal conditions.
JCSA urges customers to minimize water use and voluntarily cease lawn irrigation. In addition, customers are encouraged to postpone the installation of new landscaping until restrictions have been lifted.
According to the VDEQ, residents can take the following steps to help protect current water supplies:
- Minimize nonessential water use, including the elimination of non-essential flushing of water lines.
- Begin voluntary water conservation requirements contained in drought water conservation and contingency plans.
- Review existing or develop new local water conservation and drought contingency plans and take conservation actions consistent with those plans.
- Include water conservation information on local websites and distribute water conservation information as broadly as possible.
- Continue monitoring the condition of public waterworks and self-supplied water systems in partnership with the Virginia Department of Health.
- Impose mandatory water use restrictions if and when consistent with local water supply conditions.
- Continue to aggressively pursue leak detection and repair programs.
The Virginia Drought Monitoring Task Force, which is responsible for making recommendations for Drought Stage declarations, will meet again on April 28 to reevaluate hydrologic and water supply conditions. After the meeting on April 28, new guidance will be provided by the VDEQ to address the current drought situation.
For more information, visit deq.virginia.gov.