As summer approaches, City and County officials are supposed to be coming up with a coordinated drought-management plan that will set usage restrictions in case of a water shortage. They haven’t gotten the job done, but recent rains have eased fears of a summertime drought.
So far, slightly more than nine inches of rain have fallen on Central Virginia in 2006. That’s far below the 17.6 inches meteorologists say is normal for this time of year. Yet in a report to the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority board of directors last week, RWSA Director Thomas Frederick said local officials are off the hook—for now. Stream flows are still abnormally low, but the area’s four reservoirs are full, said Frederick. “We don’t need action from elected officials in the month of June,” he said. “We’ll keep watching the situation and advise accordingly.”
In his report, Frederick said he hopes that local officials will agree on a drought-management plan soon, because a dry summer could still leave us thirsty this fall.
It’s been nearly four years since the Drought of 2002, when critics questioned the effectiveness of water restrictions that seemed more symbolic than practical (such as closing commercial car washes, even though they account for a small fraction of the city’s total water use). For now, the official drought-management plan is easy to follow: Pray for rain.—John Borgmeyer
RWSA Director Thomas Frederick says recent rain has spared us from a drought, for now, but he’s encouraging City and County officials to agree on a drought-management strategy. Hey, give ’em a break, Tom—it’s only been four years since the last drought.