Voluntary water conservation efforts take effect July 1 in Metro Richmond
Voluntary water conservation efforts are beginning July 1 in Metro Richmond.
Henrico County, along with the counties of Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover and Powhatan and the City of Richmond, are implementing the measures because of prolonged dry conditions in the region.
In accordance with Richmond’s James River Regional Flow Management Plan, when average water flows drop to 1,700 cubic feet per second for 14 consecutive days, voluntary conservation measures are implemented. Voluntary compliance of area customers will assist water treatment plants in the City of Richmond, Chesterfield County and Henrico County in providing water to all customers in the region while also meeting the James River Regional Flow Management Plan.
During periods of voluntary water conservation, residents in the localities are asked to voluntarily reduce water usage.
For local residents, the most impactful of the voluntary measures is the following suggested schedule for watering lawns:
• Monday – No watering;
• Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday – odd property addresses may water;
• Wednesday, Friday and Sunday – even property addresses may water.
Newly planted trees, shrubs, flowers, and grass may be watered at any time during the first 10 days after planting but then should follow the lawn-watering schedule.
Vegetable gardens should be watered only between 8 p.m. and 10 a.m. Watering with a bucket is permitted at any time.
Swimming pool owners and operators are asked to fill or add water to pools only as needed to keep them safe and clean.
Residents and businesses should wash driveways, sidewalks and other paved areas only on any two days each week, though washing for health or safety reasons is always allowed.
Washing vehicles is suggested on a maximum of two days each week using a handheld hose with an automatic shutoff nozzle. Commercial mobile vehicle washing businesses are exempt.
There are no water use restrictions for restaurants.
Outdoor fountains should run only between 8 p.m. and 10 a.m., though they may run at any time on two days each week as selected by the owner or operator.
Although the localities are asking customers to conserve, officials said they continue to be able to produce and deliver safe drinking water to meet necessary use and emergency requirements of the communities in the region.
The recent dry weather and lack of significant rainfall in areas west of Richmond have led to this call for voluntary water conservation in the region. The Richmond region is supplied water by the James River basin, the largest watershed in the state. Water levels locally are affected when there are dry conditions and lack of rainfall within the drainage basin.
For more water conservation tips, visit vdh.virginia.gov/drinking-water/office-of-drinking-water/water-conservation-tips.
For additional information specific to Henrico County, call (804) 501-4275.
