A drought watch with a call for voluntary water conservation has been issued for the D.C. region today (June 3).
The Metropolitan Council of Governments Drought Coordination Committee recommended the drought watch, which increases coordination, communications and monitoring of the water supply. Precipitation, groundwater levels, streamflow and reservoir levels are factors in COG’s decision to declare a drought watch.
The U.S. Drought Monitor Map indicates 40 percent of the Potomac watershed is experiencing severe drought conditions or worse.
“Recent rains brought temporary relief from the area’s long dry spell that dropped the flow in the Potomac to 130-year lows for this time of year,” Michael Nardolilli, executive director of the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB), said. “Since then, however, the rains have stopped.”
The ICPRB, one of the organizations contributing to the region’s water supply monitoring, said the D.C. region’s upstream reservoirs, which provide backups to the regular Potomac River drinking water supply, are over 99% full. The last times water from reservoirs was released due to drought-related conditions were 1999, 2002 and 2010.
“The ICPRB will continue to monitor the river’s levels and coordinate with partners accordingly,” the commission said in a release. “Decades of planning and coordination ensure the region’s water supply is well-protected from a water supply shortage.”
Authorities are seeking residents and businesses to voluntarily conserve their water usage. The region’s last mandatory water use restrictions happened statewide in Maryland in 1999.
“As we go into the summer and fall months, when river flows are typically lower, residents are urged to use water wisely,” Nardolilli said.
D.C. Water, which provides drinking water services to D.C., put out a voluntary call for customers to reduce water use. The Potomac River’s Washington Aqueduct is the source of drinking water for DC Water.
Alexandria’s drinking water supply is sourced from the Potomac River and the Occoquan Reservoir. A Virginia American Water spokesperson told ALXnow the company plans to provide general tips on summer water usage to customers this week. Customers can monitor their water usage through Virginia American Water’s MyWater portal.
Virginia American Water’s tips for outdoor and household water usage are:
- Water early in the morning or later in the day and even at night to minimize evaporation. As much as 30 percent of water can be lost by watering midday.
- Make use of rainwater by collecting it in rain barrels for use on outdoor plants and gardens.
- Check sprinkler heads to help ensure water isn’t being wasted on pavement or unwanted areas.
- Use a broom instead of a hose to clean patios, driveways and sidewalks.
- Mulch garden beds to retain moisture and prevent weeds. A two- to three-inch layer is typically effective.
- Set your mower blades higher. Grass cut to 2.5 to 3.5 inches is more drought-resistant and healthier overall.
- Check for leaks. Even small leaks can waste thousands of gallons of water each year. Ten percent of homes have leaks that can waste 90 gallons or more per day.
The ICPRB recommends the following tips to conserve water during the drought watch:
- Prioritize your outdoor watering. Only water newly planted trees, shrubs, and lawns. A slow drip (versus a heavy pour) will allow the water to reach the root system and not run off the soil.
- Check faucets and toilets for leaks.
- Take short showers instead of baths.
- Run the dishwasher and laundry only when full.
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