Virginia’s Drought Monitoring Task Force updated the state’s drought status on July 31: “The recent rain has prevented drought conditions from worsening, although severe drought continues in many parts of Virginia.”

A drought warning advisory continues for Northern Virginia which includes Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, and Prince William counties and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas and Manassas Park. 

The Washington, D.C. region is on track to have its driest year in the last 20 years, officials say.

In its assessments, the Virginia task force uses four classifications, with the most severe being “emergency”: normal, watch, warning and emergency. Officials factor in current and predicted precipitation, streamflow, groundwater levels, reservoir levels, soil moisture, reported agriculture and water supply impacts and the current U.S. Drought Monitor map.   

Rainfall Shortfall

The state’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) on July 31 cautioned, “Longer-term precipitation continues to show severe and expansive deficits, with the 180-day Standardized Precipitation Index blend observation showing large areas of severe and extreme dryness throughout central and southcentral Virginia. Except for the Richmond area where normal year-to-date precipitation amounts are present, the rest of the Commonwealth is experiencing deficits ranging from 5.3 inches in Norfolk to 9.4 inches in Danville.”

Weedon Cloe, DEQ Office of Water Supply manager, said, “The Northern Virginia drought evaluation region has received approximately 81 percent of the precipitation that would be typical for the water year, which began on October 1. 

“Despite the recent rain, streamflows in the region are still well below normal. Groundwater has continued to decline. Of the five groundwater monitoring wells in Northern Virginia, four have water levels below the 10th percentile and the well in Prince William is at its lowest level recorded since 2002. 

“We will need sustained, above average precipitation over the coming weeks and months for groundwater in the region to recharge.”

As for drinking water supplies, “Fairfax Water continues to have adequate supply to meet current customer demand, and our systems are operating normally,” emailed Susan Miller, Manager of Public Affairs. “We encourage customers to continue practicing wise water use, but overall water availability remains stable.” Around 2.2 million people in Northern Virginia depend on Fairfax Water for their drinking water.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor's July 21 reading, Alexandria is in moderate drought, the second mildest of five categories. Virginia American Water, which supplies water to Alexandria, asks residential customers to voluntarily reduce nonessential water use.

More Calls for Conservation

Governor Abigail Spanberger asks Virginians to voluntarily conserve water use. On June 18, she said, “a significant lack of precipitation has resulted in Virginia recording its driest period since 1941. Precipitation totals are approximately eight inches below average across much of the Commonwealth.”  

If drought conditions continue, the Governor can declare a drought emergency and by executive order implement mandatory water use restrictions for certain users and industries. 

Tips for Conserving Water

The following suggestions for saving water are from multiple sources, including Fairfax Water.

* Reduce or stop lawn and garden watering.

* Only water between dusk and dawn to reduce evaporation.

* Plant drought-tolerant plants and reduce grass.

* Use mulch and leave the leaves.

* Turn off ornamental fountains.

* Limit filling of swimming pools.

* Do not hose sidewalks and driveways. 

* Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.

* Reduce shower length.

* Turn off water while brushing teeth. 

* Wash full loads of dishes and clothes.

* Keep a container of water in the refrigerator to avoid running water for a drink. Use one glass throughout a day.

* Do not run water to thaw food.

* Use a bowl of water to clean and prepare vegetables, instead of letting the faucet run.

* Compost instead of using a garbage disposal.

* Fix leaks.

Information

Virginia DEQ, https://www.deq.virginia.gov/water/water-quantity/drought

U.S. Drought Monitor, https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/ 

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, drought information: www.mwcog.org/environment/planning-areas/water-resources/drinking-water-and-drought-monitoring/current-drought-conditions/ 

Toilets Can Save Water

“Design improvements have allowed toilets to use 1.28 gallons per flush or less while still providing equal or superior performance. Toilets are by far the main source of water use in the home, accounting for nearly 30 percent of an average home’s indoor water consumption. Older, inefficient toilets that use as much as six gallons per flush also happen to be a major source of wasted water in many homes.” 

– U.S. Environmental Protection Agency