ALERTS

MANDATORY WATER RESTRICTIONS--PRESS RELEASE

July 22, 2024

LOUISA COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Judson Foster, Chairman July 10, 2024

Contact: Louisa County Water Authority

23 Loudin Lane, Louisa, Virginia 23093

(540) 967-1122 www.louisacountywaterauthority.org

LOUISA COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY – RESERVOIR AND WELL LEVELS CONTINUE TO DROP – MANDATORY WATER RESTRICTIONS

LOUISA, VIRGINIA – Louisa County Board of Supervisors declared a Drought Watch Advisory at their meeting on July 1, 2024. On July 10, 2024, the Louisa County Water Authority General Manager, Pam Baughman made the decision to impose mandatory water restrictions.

Months of dry conditions, with very little rainfall, have caused the Northeast Creek Reservoir level and the Green Springs Well levels to drop below normal levels for this time of year. Water conservation is always a preferred practice, but the continued dry weather requires mandatory restrictions be enacted. Mandating restrictions is intended to prevent shortages of safe potable drinking water for the County citizens connected to public water systems.

Louisa County Water Authority is mandating the following restrictions for all customers:

1) NO WATERING of outside shrubbery, trees, lawns, grass, plants, home vegetable gardens, or any other vegetation, except from a watering can or other container not exceeding three (3) gallons in capacity. No sprinklers, irrigations systems or any other method of outside watering. The only exception is for commercial greenhouses or nursery stocks, which may be watered to preserve plant life before 7:00 am or after 8:00 pm.

2) NO WASHING of automobiles, trucks, trailers, or any other type of mobile equipment, except at a licensed commercial car wash facility.

3) NO WASHING of sidewalks, streets, driveways, parking lots, service station aprons, exteriors of homes or apartments, commercial or industrial buildings or any other outdoor surface except where mandated by federal, state, or local law.

4) NO OPERATING of an ornamental fountain or other structure making a similar use of water.

5) NO FILLING of swimming or wading pools requiring more than five (5) gallons of water, or the refilling of swimming or wading pools which were drained after the effective date of the declaration of emergency. There are some exceptions to prevent structural damage. Please contact the LCWA business office for additional information.

6) NO FIREHYDRANT USE for any purpose other than the suppression of fires.

7) NO SERVING of water in restaurants, unless requested.

8) NO OPERATION of water-cooled comfort air conditioning that does not have water-conservation equipment in operation.

9) ANY ADDITIONAL water use restrictions as deemed necessary.

Any violation of the mandatory restrictions during this emergency declaration will be enforced as a Class 3 Misdemeanor.

If conditions continue to deteriorate, emergency measures would be applied to include rationing, suspension of new connections, and the application of emergency rates.

“Water is a precious commodity and should always be treated as such, but especially during drought conditions. Please do your part to ensure water resources are available for years to come,” Judson Foster, LCWA Chairman