Due to ongoing drought conditions, the Town of Gordonsville is under a water emergency.
On Friday, town manager Anthony Schienschang II issued a declaration of water emergency, placing the town at condition 2 as listed in the town’s code of ordinances. The condition states that “voluntary measures would be insufficient” and prohibits the watering of existing outside vegetation, including lawns, trees, plants and gardens, from anything larger than a five gallon container. It also prohibits the washing of outdoor surfaces except as mandated by federal, state or local law and prohibits the use of ornamental fountains and similar structures. Fire hydrant use is limited to fire suppression unless otherwise approved by the town manager.
Violations of the water restrictions can yield a fine of at least $100 up to $2,500. Each act or day of continuation is considered a separate offense. The town manager may also suspend water service in the instance of continued violations.
The declaration is set to end when the drought conditions affecting the town cease.
According to the latest U.S Drought Monitor data, a large portion of Orange County is listed as being in extreme drought, D3, with the remainder in severe drought, D2. Madison County is listed as D2.
The Town of Gordonsville is not the only Virginia locality to respond to drought conditions. According to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), as of earlier this month, the Town of Woodstock has also issued a mandatory water restriction. The towns of Bowling Green, Mount Jackson, New Market, Purcellville and Roundhill are all under voluntary water restrictions. The Caroline County Department of Public Utilities, James City Service Authority, Rockingham County Public Works and the City of Waynesboro also have voluntary water conservation notices in place. Neither the Town of Orange or the Rapidan Service Authority have issued any water restrictions, voluntary or mandatory.
According to the Virginia Drought Monitoring Task Force’s May 12 drought report, the North Piedmont Drought Evaluation Region, which includes Madison and Orange counties, remains in a drought warning advisory. According to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Lake Anna was observed at an elevation of 248.7 feet, 0.7 feet above watch level which is 248 feet. Recent streamflow in the watershed was below normal.
It remains to be seen how the recent rain will impact the ongoing drought. The updated U.S. Drought Monitor Data is scheduled to be released Thursday.
