Virginia Issues

Rocky Mount Institutes Mandatory Water Conservation
The town of Rocky Mount in Franklin County put mandatory water conservation into effect on August 25th, becoming the first Roanoke Valley locality to do so due to ongoing drought conditions. The flow in the Blackwater River—the town's main water source—is at its lowest since the town's water plant was constructed, according to a town news release. Town water customers may not water plants or their lawns, although limited exceptions may be permitted. Those exceptions were not immediately spelled out by the town. Customers cannot wash their vehicles, either, but may still get their cars cleaned at commercial car washes. The use of outdoor fountains is also banned, as well as the filling of swimming pools. The town established a hotline number for customers to report water violations. The number is 483-0907.

Dramatically low inflows at Smith Mountain Lake have also prompted Appalachian Power Co. officials to seek an extension to a federally-issued variance limiting the volume of water released from the lake. Appalachian Power Co. spokesman John Shepelwich said the utility has submitted a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission requesting the variance be extended until Smith Mountain Lake’s adjusted level returns to full pond, or 795 feet. Shepelwich said as of 6 a.m. today water flowing in was 97 cubic feet per second and discharge into the Staunton River was 487 cubic feet per second. At noon today Smith Mountain Lake’s adjusted elevation was 791.6 feet. FERC issued the initial variance July 29 and it is valid for 45 days.

From the Roanoke Times

Governor Kaine Urges Virginians to Use Water Wisely
Virginians must stop taking water for granted, experts said Monday. Population growth, drought and climate change can stress future water supplies, according to people attending a water-use forum in Richmond. “There is starting to be a broader recognition that water is not an inexhaustible resource,” said Terry Wagner, chairman of Virginia’s drought-monitoring task force. “That doesn’t mean we are all going to dry up and blow away, but we need to change the way we use water,” Wagner said.

The three-hour Governor’s Forum on Water Conservation and Drought in Richmond drew about 75 people, many from state and local governments and from business. The forum was held at the Library of Virginia. Opening the session, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said businesses, governments and everyday people need to use water more wisely.

Elaborating outside the meeting room, Kaine indicated that drought is never far away in Virginia. “While we might be OK because we had some good rain the last couple of months . . . it can turn around on you quick.”

A severe drought hit Virginia from 1999 to 2002, causing some water systems to nearly run out of water and making more than 6,000 wells go dry.  A less-severe drought hit last summer and fall, hurting farmers and causing many localities to limit water use. Virtually all those restrictions have been dropped.

But Wagner said it’s likely parts of Virginia will suffer drought again this summer as spotty rains hit some places and miss others.

Audience member Dale F. Jones, a retired state water official, said Virginia has enough water if localities build enough reservoirs.

Another audience member, Tyla Matteson, a member of the Virginia chapter of the Sierra Club, said climate change could hurt localities’ ability to provide water. Many experts say climate change could cause more droughts.

The state is requiring localities to prepare water-supply plans to show how they will cope with population growth and drought in coming years. Some experts say Virginia has plenty of water but not always in places where it will be needed.

By Rex Springston, Media General News Service, Published: June 6, 2008