When the drought indicators, including the weekly U. S. Drought Monitor, indicate significant drought conditions across one or more drought evaluation regions, DEQ convenes the Virginia Drought Monitoring Task Force (DMTF).  DEQ and the DMTF may, after evaluating all available drought indicator information, recommend the declaration of a particular Drought Stage for the affected area. 

Responses to Drought Stage declarations:

Drought Watch: 

Intended to increase awareness in the public and private sector of climatic conditions that are likely to precede the occurrence of a significant drought event. Suggested responses:

• Minimize nonessential water use,
• Review existing or develop new local water conservation and drought contingency plans and take conservation actions consistent with those plans,
• Include water conservation information on local websites and distribute water conservation information as broadly as possible,
• Continue monitoring the condition of public waterworks and self-supplied withdrawal systems,
• Pursue leak detection and repair programs aggressively, and water systems in partnership with the Virginia Department of Health,
• Impose water use restrictions when consistent with local water supply conditions.

Drought Warning:

The onset of a significant drought event is imminent. Recommended steps to help protect current water supplies:

• Minimize nonessential water use, including the elimination of non-essential flushing of water lines.
• Begin voluntary water conservation requirements contained in drought water conservation and contingency plans.
• Review existing or develop new local water conservation and drought contingency plans and take conservation actions consistent with those plans.
• Include water conservation information on local websites and distribute water conservation information as broadly as possible.
• Continue monitoring the condition of public waterworks and self-supplied water systems in partnership with the Virginia Department of Health.
• Impose mandatory water use restrictions if and when consistent with local water supply conditions.
• Continue to aggressively pursue leak detection and repair programs.

Drought Emergency:

  Required during the height of a very severe or extreme drought event.

• Begin mandatory water conservation requirements, and
• Discourage or prohibit:
  • unrestricted irrigation of lawns, golf courses, and athletic fields;
  • washing of paved surfaces such as streets, roads, sidewalks, driveways, garages, parking areas, tennis courts and patios;
  • use of water for washing or cleaning mobile equipment, including autos, trucks, trailers, and boats;
  • use of water for the operation of ornamental fountains, artificial waterfalls, misting machines, and reflecting pools;
  • use of water to fill up and top off outdoor swimming pools; and
  • serving water in restaurants, clubs, or eating-places unless requested by the customer.

Drought Planning and Conservation

Individual private well users, particularly those who rely on shallow water table wells, may benefit the most from paying attention to drought conditions and conserving water early.

In general, water supplies that rely on sources with significant storage (reservoir and groundwater-based systems) will realize greater benefits from water conservation activities initiated early in a drought cycle when compared to supplies that rely solely upon free-flowing streams.