Fairfax Co. asks Potomac River left off Va. drought declaration to protect drinking water

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (7News) — Fairfax County leaders concerned about drought impacts on drinking water supply are pleading with Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger to exempt the Potomac River if she were to declare a statewide emergency, which could trigger water use restrictions.

According to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, almost all of the state is under a drought warning.

The U.S. Drought Monitor reveals Northern Virginia is currently facing a moderate drought, with parts of Fairfax now in a severe drought.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a motion to have Chairman Jeff McKay send a letter to Spanberger, requesting the Potomac River, which is the source of drinking water for more than 2.2 million people in the county, be left off any drought emergency declaration mandating restrictions of water use.

“Potomac River flows remain near record level lows, and the Climate Prediction Center shows drought persisting through this summer,” McKay said during the board meeting. “We support Fairfax Water’s request for the Potomac River to be excluded from any statewide drought declaration, as to avoid unnecessary hardship for millions of Northern Virginia residents and businesses.”

Read the full letter here:

Potomac Riverkeeper Network Vice President and General Counsel David Flores told 7News this letter is a reflection of concerns playing out around the state.

“The Potomac River is a principal source of drinking water for millions in the region,” Flores said. “I think what the request means is trying to save the folks who rely upon the Potomac as the principal source of their drinking water from potential mandatory use restrictions. Those are use restrictions, perhaps, on the withdrawal of the river water for the purposes of creating drinking water for people and for businesses.”

Fairfax County and Northern Virginia are not the only part of the region reliant on the river.

Maryland and D.C. also utilize the Potomac for drinking water.

In the letter to Spanberger, McKay references the shared use of this water source.

He also mentioned the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments already has drought plans in place, and that a one-size-fits-all statewide emergency that includes the Potomac River could cause a strain on these strategies.

“Fairfax Water and Fairfax County rely on the Potomac River as a critical component of our regional water supply. Because we share this vital resource with Maryland and the District of Columbia, regional water utilities have worked cooperatively for more than 40 years to coordinate operations and invest in water supply planning,” McKay said during the board meeting. “Northern Virginia localities have invested millions to ensure the resiliency of the Potomac River system, and we have a strong multi-jurisdictional response plan already in place.”

WJLA

Earlier this month, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments declared a regional drought watch, and made the following water conservation recommendations:

• Reduce shower length to under 5 minutes
• Turn off water while brushing your teeth/shaving
• Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes
• Fix any plumbing leaks – especially toilets and faucets
• Monitor watering lawns, plants, and shrubs
• Sweep sidewalks and driveways (instead of using a hose)
• Avoid washing your car or instead use a commercial car wash that recycles water

“The drought conditions affect everyone,” Flores said. “It’s never too early, it’s never too late to start water conservation, voluntary measures, at the household or even business level. Until we get precipitation at the volumes necessary to not just recharge the river but recharge our groundwater resources, it’s on everyone to conserve the water that they’re using.”