Virginians are being asked to conserve water as drought conditions continue.
Last week, Governor Abigail Spanberger, in coordination with the Virginia Drought Monitoring Task Force (DMTF), encouraged residents to take voluntary, commonsense steps to conserve water. Despite intermittent rain caused mostly by summer thunderstorms, the state is in its driest period since 1941 with precipitation levels approximately eight inches below average.
“All Virginians can play a role in protecting our water supply during this historic dry period,” Spanberger said. “As communities across the Commonwealth — particularly in Southside and Central Virginia — continue to be impacted by these conditions, it is important that we take commonsense steps to meet this challenge. I’m grateful to Virginians for doing their part, and my office will continue to remain in close coordination with the [DMTF] as we focus on safeguarding our water supply.”
According to the latest information from DMTF, observations continue to show severe and extreme dryness prevailing throughout the state. Drought warning advisories remain in place for 13 of the 14 drought evaluation regions. The Southeast region is the only one to remain in a lesser watch status. The Northern Piedmont drought evaluation region, of which Orange and Madison counties are included, continues to be in an emergency status for both groundwater and flow. Precipitation is at a warning level and reservoirs remain normal.
According to the latest U.S Drought Monitor data,100% of the state is experiencing some level of drought conditions. 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.
Virginians are being encouraged to reduce lawn and garden watering schedules to alternating days, only watering between dusk and dawn; turn off ornamental fountains; limit the washing of vehicles and paved surfaces unless addressing public health and safety; and limit the filling of swimming pools.
Some areas have implemented mandatory water restrictions, including the Town of Gordonsville. According to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), the Town of Woodstock has also issued a mandatory water restriction, as has the Louisa County Water Authority in the Zions Crossroads and Lake Anna systems, Caroline County and Fauquier County. Voluntary restrictions have been issued in 168 water systems throughout the state. Neither the Town of Orange or the Rapidan Service Authority have issued any water restrictions, voluntary or mandatory.
Orange County has convened a drought committee which consists of county administrator Glenda Paul, Rapidan Service Authority General Manager David Jarrell, Orange Town Manager Chris Snider and Gordonsville Town Manager Anthony Schienschang. The committee was established in the county’s water supply plan, but hasn’t been convened until now. Paul said the committee members will work together to disseminate any public information as the drought continues. The first information will likely be released next month.
“We feel its possible the state is going to announce an emergency,” Paul said. “Based on what the state comes out with we may have to move into actual water restrictions. We’re not sure if that is going to happen or if we’ll have a week or two of voluntary participation.”
Madison County Deputy Administrator Brian Gordon said moisture in the air via humidity is helping to mitigate the risk of fires due to the drought, especially moving into the July 4 holiday. He said the best anyone can hope for is that storms move through the evening of the holiday to wet the ground before any fireworks are ignited. Overall, he said the biggest concern will come later.
“It’s going through August with no rain and hitting fall in a D3 drought condition or worse,” Gordon said. “You’re going to be messing with the levels that were there in 2023 and we know how that ended.”
The Quaker Run Fire ignited in October 2023, burning approximately 3,900 acres in the county. A state of emergency was declared in response.
Should drought conditions continue, Spanberger may elect to declare a drought emergency which would implement mandatory use restrictions for certain users and industries throughout the state. A drought emergency was last issued in 2002 by former Governor Mark Warner.
