To mitigate the effects of drought, Fauquier County residents, businesses, and government agencies should adopt various water conservation practices, including efficient use of household appliances and mindful irrigation techniques.

Press release:

Potential Means of Water Conservation:

No matter what drought level Fauquier County is in, residents, businesses, communities and government agencies can, and should, critically evaluate and explore more efficient water conservation practices. The following list of water conservation practices is not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list, but rather to provide some examples of what can be done to conserve water:

• Use dishwaters only when they are full.

• Wash only full loads of laundry (adjust water level if possible).

• Turn off faucets while brushing teeth, shaving, etc. (saves about five gallons per day).

• Reduce water used per toilet flush by installing toilet tank displacement inserts. A plastic jug may be used as an alternative. [Note: do not use bricks.
They disintegrate when soaked and the resulting grit hinders closing of the flap value, causing leakage and subsequent water loss].

• Keep a bottle of water in the refrigerator, so as to limit the running of tap water to get cold water.

• If you have a water meter, monitor it to evaluate how much water you use and the timing of this use, so as to better inform you of how you may create additional water savings.

• Take shorter showers and baths (saves about 25 gallons per shower/bath).

• Do not use a garbage disposal.

• Do not use water to wash off driveways or sidewalks.

• Water before 10:00 a.m. to reduce evaporation during the hottest part of the day. Watering in the morning is better than the evening, because the dampness and coolness of the evening may promote fungal growth.

• When watering plants, use drip irrigation that directs water to the root system. If you do not have drip irrigation capabilities, then closely monitor your watering to ensure that the water is turned off when sufficient water has been delivered. Avoid run-off.

• When watering plants, water infrequently but thoroughly, because water penetrating deeper in the soil will be retained longer and it will encourage plants to grow deeper roots. Conversely, water from
frequent light waterings often is lost due to evaporation, and it encourages plants to grow in the shallow soil zones that dry out quickly causing greater plant stress and the need for additional waterings.

• Water lawns only when necessary [note: grass that springs back when stepped on does not need water].

• Install automatic shut-off nozzles on outdoor water hoses.

• Aerate lawns by punching small holes approximately six inches apart. This will encourage water to soak into the soil rather than run off the surface.

• Position manually-placed sprinklers so that they do not water pavement, gravel, buildings or other non-plant surfaces.

• Know how to turn off an automatic irrigation system in case of rain.

• Weed gardens so that more desirable plants do not have to compete for limited moisture.

• Mulch garden beds to reduce evaporative water loss and weed growth, and cool the soil, which in turn creates less water-stress to plants.

• During dry periods postpone new plantings, since new plantings often require a higher quantity of irrigation.

• Use trash cans to dispose of used tissues rather than flushing them down the toilet.

• Avoid mowing grass at a very short height, since more water evaporates from short grass than taller grass.

• Do not allow children to play water games.

• Encourage the use of rain barrels and other means to capture and re-use water.

• Turn off ornamental water fountains.

• Avoid irrigation of athletic fields.

• Discourage the filling or topping off outdoor swimming pools.

• Avoid washing car, boats, and other personal or recreational equipment.

• Serve water to restaurant patrons only upon request.

For citizens on a public water system through FCWSA or a Town water system, please refer to their specific guidance at:
? https://www.fcwsa.org
? https://www.warrentonva.gov
? https://www.remington-va.gov
The County will continue to monitor DEQ guidance and warning advisories over the coming weeks. The County will issue updated guidance and restrictions, as advised by DEQ and in consultation with FCWSA and our Towns. The following provide specific guidance and protocols for Statewide and County level drought planning.

For DEQ: https://www.deq.virginia.gov/our-programs/water/water-quantity/drought For Fauquier County’s Comprehensive Drought Management and Emergency Preparedness Plan: https://www.fauquiercounty.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/12951/638139461778070000.
(ENDS)

Northern Virginia and the rest of the state are experiencing significant drought as temperatures soar. Virginia has been experiencing unusually high temperatures this summer, with recent days surpassing 100 degrees. Jeremy Geiger, chief Hydrologist at the National Weather Service's Baltimore-Washington Office, explained, "This summer, it started in mid to late June, and then going into July. We're getting into the peak time of year where it's the hottest, combined with a pattern funneling warmth and heat from the south up into our area." The mercury climbed to 96 degrees at the Quantico Marine Corps Base airfield at 4 p.m. Monday, July 15, 2024. The heat index (the feels-like temperature) was 110 degrees. Today, Tuesday, temperatures are expected to the triple digits, and excessive heat warnings will be in effect from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Excessive heat & humidity continues into Tuesday with Excessive Heat Warnings & Heat Advisories issued over large portions of the area. These run from 11 AM until 8 PM. Depending on location, heat index values will range from 100 to 110 degrees. #MDwx #VAwx #DCwx #WVwx pic.twitter.com/Rf2aP9kE7z

— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) July 15, 2024

High temperatures, exacerbated by increased humidity, have resulted in severe weather conditions. Geiger noted that "101 can feel like 110," making the heat even more impactful. The phenomenon of the Bermuda High, a high-pressure system that circulates air from the south, has contributed to these conditions. "When it shifts west, that west side where the air is coming from the south gets funneled right up into our area," he said. According to Geiger, the region has seen 26 days with temperatures over 90 degrees, with two of those days surpassing 100 degrees at DCA. Although this is not unprecedented, it is concerning given the current drought conditions. "Out of the past 30 years, over 30% of the years have had at least one 100-degree day," Geiger added. Virginia's drought has worsened, and the entire state is now affected. Geiger explained that the region has been experiencing dry periods for several years. "We haven't had a really heavy rain event, multiple rain events, to really dig us out of the previous drought," he said. The Shenandoah Valley, in particular, has been heavily impacted by these conditions. The lack of rain has led to voluntary water restrictions in areas like Fauquier County and the town of Warrenton, which are currently in severe drought, according to the US Drought Monitor. Geiger mentioned that the Potomac Basin's water resources are closely monitored as water levels drop, potentially leading to further restrictions. Geiger emphasized the need for a significant rain event to alleviate the drought. "Most major droughts are broken by a tropical storm," he said. "We need the rain to happen over an extended period of time, versus a severe thunderstorm popping up and dropping five inches in one area." The recent rain in the area provided little relief due to the immediate return of high temperatures. Geiger explained, "We had all this rain and it was short-lived. Then we have another extended period of 3-5 days of hot weather. So all that ground, it didn't have time to set in. It's now just drying out again." The drought affects water resources, agriculture, and vegetation, potentially increasing fire risks. "It can happen here. It does happen here," Geiger warned, noting that the region has experienced fires due to dry conditions. As Virginia grapples with these challenges, residents are encouraged to follow local and state advisories on water usage. While voluntary restrictions are in place in some areas, further measures may be necessary if conditions do not improve. For more updates on weather and local news, visit potomaclocalnews.com and sign up for our free email newsletter.

According to recent data from the U.S. Drought Monitor, Virginia is grappling with a rapidly worsening drought.

The week-by-week analysis for June 2024 shows a dramatic rise in drought severity:
– June 25, 2024: A staggering 90.60% of Virginia’s area was under drought conditions, with 2.25% of the state experiencing D2-D4 conditions, indicating more severe drought.
– June 18, 2024: Only 24.57% of the area was under D1-D4 drought conditions, with no areas falling into the more severe D2-D4 categories.
– June 11, 2024, and earlier weeks reported no drought conditions, with 0% in all categories.

This rapid progression from no drought conditions at the end of May to severe drought by the end of June indicates a concerning trend that could significantly impact Virginia’s agriculture, water resources, and daily life.

Fauquier County Water and Sanitation Authority has issued mandatory outdoor water restrictions for all customers. 

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Good news: There’s rain in the forecast, according to the National Weather Service:

High pressure remains offshore Wednesday night with a cold front entering from the Ohio River Valley for Independence Day. Clouds and moisture will increase, bringing possible showers and thunderstorms, especially west of the Allegheny Front. Most areas will stay dry with rising humidity and cloud cover. Lows will be in the mid to upper 60s and low 70s.

Independence Day (Thursday), the subtropical ridge moves into the southeastern U.S., bringing excessive heat, humidity, and increased chances for strong thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening. The front will slowly move east into the mountains before stalling and possibly retreating north on Friday. Uncertainty remains about thunderstorm coverage for Independence Day festivities, including fireworks.

High temperatures Thursday will range from upper 70s and low 80s in higher elevations to low to mid-90s further east. Overnight lows will be in the low to mid-70s.