The Fauquier County Water and Sanitation Authority issued mandatory water restrictions on Tuesday for customers in its New Baltimore Regional Water System.
No outdoor water usage is allowed. That means no watering of lawns and gardens, no car washing, no topping off swimming pools.
The restrictions come after record water usage on Labor Day as the region struggles with the drought watch advisory. That advisory affects not only Fauquier, but also Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties.
“Unfortunately, on Labor Day, the New Baltimore system saw usage increase dramatically and spike to 1.5 million gallons in a single day — a record amount and higher usage than the system — and the aquifers that supply it — can safely sustain,” the authority said Tuesday night.
The authority spelled out the following mandatory water restrictions for its New Baltimore customers, in order to prevent service impacts and have enough water to fight fires:
- No outdoor water usage is allowed. No irrigation system or other lawn or garden watering, no car washing, no power washing, no driveway washdowns, and no topping off of swimming pools.
- Use water only as necessary. Instead of baths, take showers. Make those showers short in length.
- Do not waste water. Turn it off when it is not directly in use, like while brushing teeth, washing hands, and washing dishes.
- Dishwashers and washing machines should only be used when loads are full.
The New Baltimore Regional Water System accounts for 3,338 of the Fauquier County Water and Sanitation Authority’s 6,537 total water connections, according to Benjamin Shoemaker, the authority’s executive director.
The rest of the Fauquier County Water and Sanitation Authority’s customers are under voluntary restrictions and are asked to limit water usage. The following voluntary measures are suggested:
- Avoid hand-washing cars, vehicles, boats, or other outdoor equipment.
- Make sure hoses and sprinklers are properly working without leaks.
- Avoid pre-rinsing dishes and run dishwashers when they are full.
- Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth or shaving.
- Run full loads of laundry and/or adjust water settings to match the loads.
- Avoid watering lawns and gardens as much as possible. If necessary, only water twice a week during early morning or late evening hours.
The recommended outdoor watering schedule has residents in odd-numbered addresses watering on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays, while even-numbered homes would do so on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The voluntary restrictions are in effect through September.
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
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