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Water Restrictions Lifted
On Tuesday, Nov. 12, Governor Mark Warner's Drought Coordinator amended the statewide ban on water use. The restrictions on car washing, lawn watering and the filling of swimming pools have been lifted. To read the Governor's Press Release, go to:
http://www.governor.state.va.us/Press_Policy/Releases/Nov02/1112b.htm
Locally, this means the following:
- James City County has repealed the Ordinance restricting water use and all restrictions are lifted.
- County residents may wash cars, water lawns, and fill swimming pools.
- As a condition of the County's draft permit for the Five Forks Water Treatment Facility, (issued by the Department of Environmental Quality), the Board of Supervisors must adopt an odd/even /time of day outdoor water use ordinance similar to the one in place in summer 2002. The Ordinance would be in effect annually from May 1 - Sept. 30.
- County residents in Grove and Kingsmill who are customers of Newport News Water Works are still under Water Works' Stage II restrictions. For more information go to http://www.newport-news.va.us/wwdept/News_Releases.htm
However, as stated by the Governor, "It is imperative to understand that the drought continues. Virginia has had four years of rain deficits that cannot be made up in a couple of months. The most critical aspect of the ongoing drought is to recover adequate groundwater levels to sustain stream flow during dry periods and to provide water for those who rely on wells. Continued above average rainfall or snow from November through March is critical to begin to see groundwater improvements. Should that not happen, the drought could intensify again next spring and summer. Consequently, this suspension of water use restrictions will be re-evaluated in the winter to determine what conservation measures are appropriate for the spring."
For more information call the Drought Info Line at (757) 259-4152, the Water Conservation Coordinator at (757) 253-6859 or JCSA Customer Service at (757) 253-6800.
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