Mandatory Water Restrictions Continue Through Winter

Leesburg – The Loudoun County Sanitation Authority (LCSA) reminds its customers that mandatory restrictions for water use are still in place due to drought conditions.

As of mid-January, the Beaverdam Reservoir was 25 percent full. Approximately 1,050 million gallons of water are needed to refill it. Pumps have been installed in Goose Creek to pump water back into the Reservoir, however, the flow in Goose Creek must be strong enough for the pump to work. This usually happens for a short period of time after a local rain event. A good soaking rain (and its runoff) can add approximately 37.5 million gallons of water to the Reservoir for every inch that falls directly in the watershed. Therefore, 28 inches of rain need to fall within the watershed to refill the reservoir, assuming no water is taken out of it to meet demands. Given the unlikelihood of that level of rainfall happening between now and April, it is imperative that the restrictions remain in place.

In the meantime, here’s what LCSA is doing to prepare for the spring and summer. There are three important initiatives happening to help alleviate the situation. One initiative is we have fast-tracked several planned system improvements that will move water from our Eastern service provider (Fairfax Water) to our western customers more effectively. This should help curb our reliance on the Beaverdam Reservoir. The second initiative is a water demand study, which will “zero in” on areas of the system (geographically and by type) with the highest demand, so that we may more effectively target conservation outreach. A third initiative is we plan to work with the County to rewrite parts of the water shortage ordinance, so that we are able to get the demand reductions we need while still enabling some level of outdoor watering. We expect each of these initiatives to be completed or near completion by this spring.

LCSA is grateful for everyone’s widespread and continued cooperation and patience. Feel free to contact us with your questions, thoughts and ideas at drought@lcsa.org.


The following are reminders of what is permitted and not permitted under the restrictions:


Permitted

Watering any kind of vegetation may be done using a container of three gallons or less.
New grass or sod (where it did not exist previously) or vegetation planted since September 1, 2007 may be watered on an odd-even schedule (not daily).You do not need a waiver for this, but you will need to produce dated receipts for the sheriff to avoid a citation.
Washing automobiles, trucks, trailers or other mobile equipment, using a container of three gallons or less.
Using commercial car wash facilities is permitted.
Washing streets, driveways, parking lots, service station aprons, the exterior of commercial or residential buildings or any other outdoor surfaces using a container of three gallons or less.
Service of drinking water (from the tap) in restaurants is permitted only when it is specifically requested.




Not Permitted

Watering any established lawn or vegetation with a hose, sprinkler or irrigation system.
Watering a lawn, even if only in partial, because the whole lawn, or a portion of it, has been over-seeded. Requests for waivers for overseeding have been denied by the County Administrator.
Power washing. Requests for waivers to power wash have been denied by the County Administrator.
The operation of an ornamental fountain, or filling swimming/wading pools. 

                                                         
By Samantha Villegas, Mgr. of Communications


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