Alexandria under drought warning as DEQ declares significant dry spell imminent
State environmental agency urges residents to conserve water as precipitation deficits push streamflow, groundwater levels well below normal
The city is now under a drought warning as state officials say a significant drought event is imminent across much of Virginia.
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, in coordination with the Virginia Drought Monitoring Task Force, issued the warning Tuesday for Alexandria and 34 other localities, including Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties.
The drought warning is the more serious of the two advisories the state uses. An additional 79 localities are under a less severe drought watch, leaving just 19 of Virginia’s counties and cities without any drought advisory in place.
As of Nov. 17, no localities were under drought warning, and prior drought watch advisories were limited to much of central Virginia.
Continued precipitation deficits have caused streamflow, groundwater, and soil moisture levels to fall well below normal throughout most of the state, particularly in the Piedmont and Blue Ridge regions, according to DEQ.
The agency said it is working with local governments, public water works, and water users in affected areas to ensure conservation and drought response plans are followed.
Alexandria and other localities that draw water from the Potomac River should consult the Metropolitan Washington Water Supply and Drought Awareness Response Plan for specific triggers and actions, the agency said. Under the plan, developed by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, a drought warning would trigger voluntary water restrictions such as limits on lawn watering, car washing and the use of ornamental fountains.
DEQ is urging all Virginians to protect water supplies by minimizing water use, monitoring drought conditions and detecting and repairing leaks.