The Virginia Drought Monitoring Task Force is using the bully pulpit of Gov. Abigail Spanberger to encourage us to conserve water use, for obvious reasons – we can’t seem to get it to friggin’ rain.
My weather apps have been telling me all day that rain is coming in 23 minutes, or somesuch; not a drop at this writing.
Per a press release from the governor’s office, Virginia is in the midst of its driest period since 1941, with precipitation totals are approximately eight inches below average across much of the Commonwealth.
“All Virginians can play a role in protecting our water supply during this historic dry period,” Spanberger said, via press release. “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.”
Commonsense steps you can take to conserve water
- Reduce lawn and garden watering schedules to alternating days, only watering between dusk and dawn
- Turn off ornamental fountains
- Limit washing of vehicles and paved surfaces unless addressing public health and safety
- Limit filling of swimming pools
The most recent Virginia Department of Environmental Quality Daily Drought Map shows 100 percent of the Commonwealth’s land area experiencing drought conditions, with the majority of the Commonwealth in a drought warning status.
If drought conditions continue, the governor can declare a Drought Emergency by executive order, which means that mandatory water use restrictions for certain users and industries would be implemented.
I’m having flashbacks to Ralph Northam’s twice-a-week COVID press conferences right about here.
Our most recent drought emergency came in 2002.
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Chris Graham
