Aqua Virginia asks customers to reduce nonessential useHeather Michon, Editor

As drought conditions deepen across Virginia, Aqua Virginia is asking customers in four local water systems in Fluvanna County to reduce nonessential water use.

Aqua Virginia spokesperson Heather Keefer said a conservation advisory is now in place for its Lake Monticello, Stagecoach, Palmyra and Columbia water systems. No mandatory restrictions are currently in place or under consideration for those systems, Keefer added.

The utility is expected to flush some water lines at Lake Monticello over the next two months, a step the company says is needed to maintain water quality during the summer.

“Not all hydrants or flush points will be used,” and Aqua will adjust the flushing schedule as needed, the Lake Monticello Owners’ Association said in an alert Monday.

The notice may seem at odds with voluntary conservation requests, but utilities routinely flush lines to remove sediment, maintain disinfectant levels, and help prevent water quality problems, particularly during periods of higher summer demand.

Much of state under warnings

The advisory comes as much of Virginia continues to face dry conditions.

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, working with the Drought Monitoring Task Force, extended existing drought advisories on June 11, noting that nearly all of Virginia remains under a drought warning.

A drought warning is intended to raise awareness that a significant drought may be imminent.

The state is monitoring four main indicators: precipitation, groundwater levels, streamflow, and reservoir levels.

According to DEQ, streamflows and soil moisture have continued to decline, while deeper soil moisture and groundwater remain well below normal. Groundwater levels in 13 of the state’s 24 monitoring wells are below the 10th percentile for this time of year.

Statewide precipitation is about 7.5 inches below normal for the water year, which began Oct. 1, 2025.

Without more sustained rainfall, DEQ said drought conditions could worsen as temperatures rise. In some localities, conditions could eventually be upgraded from a warning to an emergency, which could trigger water restrictions.

In Fluvanna, Aqua said it will follow guidance from DEQ and the Drought Monitoring Task Force and update its conservation advisories as needed.

Cutting nonessential use

Water use typically rises in the summer because of irrigation and other outdoor uses, Aqua said.

The company said conservation is important “so that we can continue to provide water to meet essential needs and minimize discolored water issues associated with high demand on our water systems during drought conditions.”

Under Aqua’s advisory, customers are asked to cut back on nonessential outdoor water use. That includes unrestricted irrigation of lawns, golf courses and athletic fields; washing paved surfaces or vehicles; operating fountains, artificial waterfalls, misting machines or reflecting pools; and filling or topping off outdoor swimming pools.

Restaurants, clubs, and eating places are asked to serve water only when customers request it.

Aqua is also asking all residential, business and industrial water users, including those on private wells, to reduce overall water use by at least 10% where possible.

Local plans still developing

Fluvanna County and the Lake Monticello Owners’ Association said they have not yet adopted formal drought response plans.

LMOA said it is actively monitoring drought conditions. A decision will be made in the coming days on whether it is safe to hold the community’s annual Fourth of July fireworks display.

County officials said they are continuing to monitor conditions. No countywide restrictions or conservation measures have been announced.

The county’s role may depend in part on which water system is involved, since many residents receive water through private wells or privately operated systems rather than a county-run utility.

Nearby Louisa County has already moved to mandatory restrictions for some customers. The Louisa County Water Authority issued mandatory water restrictions on June 9 for customers on the Green Springs/Zion Crossroads and New Bridge/Lake Anna well systems after well levels dropped below normal.

The difference illustrates how drought can affect neighboring localities differently depending on water sources, well levels, demand, and system capacity.

DEQ said it will continue providing drought updates every two weeks for the duration of the drought.

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Drought prompts voluntary water conservation in Fluvanna