Water Shortage Alert Lifted in Eastern Loudoun

Loudoun County Administrator Kirby M. Bowers has lifted the Water Shortage Alert (Drought Watch) currently in place for eastern Loudoun, effective immediately, in accordance with Chapter 1044.05 of the County Code, "Water Use Restrictions, Declaration of Water Shortage Alert Stage."

Prior to last weekend's rain, the Dulles area had received five inches of rain for the month of April. As of last Friday, Goose Creek was flowing only slightly below its median flow and Beaverdam Reservoir was nearly full. While measurements have not yet been taken, it is expected that both reservoirs are full after last weekend's rain.

Average daily demand in the Loudoun Water service area continues to hover over 20 million gallons per day. Loudoun Water is able to meet that demand without restricting use, but cautions customers that if we do not have rain on a regular basis, and/or if customer demand for water spikes beyond 22 million gallons per day for an extended period,  there will be a need to return to water restrictions later.

"Customers should not view this as a call to use water with abandon," says Loudoun Water's General Manager Dale Hammes. "It's still important for everyone to be mindful of how they use water and to not waste it."

Loudoun Water is committed to promoting wise water use throughout the summer, no matter how much rain is received. We have asked customers to stagger their outdoor watering schedule so that:

• Odd-numbered homes water lawns Wednesdays and Saturdays;
• Even-numbered homes water lawns Thursdays and Sundays; and
• Commercial customers irrigate Tuesdays and Fridays.

On this schedule, no one would use water outside on Mondays, and the system would have a day off to replenish its elevated storage tanks. This schedule has been proven to balance the needs of the water utilities and the desires of their customers in jurisdictions in the South and West, and we're confident it can be a successful compromise here, too.

We're grateful for everyones widespread and continued commitment to using each drop wisely, and we continue to encourage customers to send us questions, thoughts and ideas, by emailing to drought@loudounwater.org. Visit our wise water use page to learn more water-saving tips.

Learn more about the Water Supply and Drought Awareness Plan.

Visit NOAA for more information on conditions.