Despite several inches of rainfall last week, the area's water crisis is still "very serious," according to University and local water officials.
Richard Collins, chairman of the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority, said the rainfall did "not really change" Charlottesville's water supply.
Thursday and Friday's showers raised the Rivanna reservoir, the main source of University water, by almost 1 percent, or 22 million gallons. At the city's current rate of consumption, this increase extends the supply of water by four or five days. With the reservoir at 53.9 percent of its capacity as of yesterday, Collins estimates the city has 80 to 85 days of water left.
Though the water situation is dire, University officials insist there is no truth to the "doomsday" rumors that the semester will end prematurely if water runs out completely.
Addressing the rumors, University Director of Utilities Cheryl Gomez said as far as she knows, no university in the nation has shut down because of a water shortage. The University is "not entertaining at all" any proposal to cut the fall term short, Gomez said. But if "push comes to shove" the school might take drastic action, she added.
Such action could include importing outside water and seeking help from military sources. Administrators have begun looking for sources of non-potable, or non-community water, and new energy-saving methods, Gomez said.
Since Aug. 15, the University has cut its weekly water use by 21 percent. On average, the University has cut consumption by 3 million gallons per day, according to utility department statistics.
Gomez said she is "truly impressed" by the number of students who have "really taken to heart" the seriousness of the water problem.
Faculty members also are curtailing their water use by limiting or suspending research that requires large amounts of water. Members of the physics and chemistry departments are trying to develop new water conservation methods.
In the meantime, the effects of the water shortage are evident around Grounds.
Jerry Brown, the arborist for the landscaping division, said his division's water has been "cut back pretty far."
"Now we're taking water from about anywhere," said Brown, who maintains the University's trees.
Maintenance crews now are forced to use water that collects on air-conditioner chillers to water flowerbeds. One air conditioner unit by the Architecture school generates over 1,000 gallons of water a day, according to Brown.
Despite this resourcefulness, Brown admits the plant life is noticeably suffering. He pointed to the poor condition of the turf grass on the Lawn as the most visible effect of watering restrictions.
There is a feeling among area residents that University students are apathetic toward the water crisis, Collins said. The University is by far the largest consumer of city water, but Collins said he thought many citizens think students don't have a vested interested in the area's problems.
Gomez disagreed with this negative perception, saying that although there is a "handful of students" ignoring the gravity of the crisis, most are doing their part to conserve water.
While students might be confronting the water crisis for the first time this fall, the problem is not new to University and Charlottesville utility officials. The area is in the midst of a four-year drought, with rainfall down nearly 67 percent.
The Albemarle area usually receives 45 inches of rain per year, but for the past three years, it only has rained 13 to 15 inches annually.
During this period, the University has been successful in cutting water usage despite expanded construction, water line replacement along McCormick Road and an increase in the number of faculty. The University has cut its water use by 15 percent over the past five years.
To combat future droughts, the University is looking at long-term water conservation solutions. Officials are exploring the construction of new regional storm water management facilities and methods of re-circulating water.
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