Following months of above-average precipitation this winter, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors will consider revoking its emergency water declaration.
The Albemarle County Service Authority, which provides water to Charlottesville and Albemarle County, has recommended the issue be considered at the Board's May 7 meeting.
Though the declaration currently remains in effect, emergency water restrictions were lifted at the end of 2002. Since then, reservoir levels have risen to near capacity, and groundwater sources have been partially replenished by rain and snow.
Despite the ending of restrictions, residual effects from last year's conservation efforts remain.
This year's overall water consumption is estimated to be 10 percent less than last year.
Current usage is estimated to be between 8 and 8.5 million gallons per day. At the height of summer demand last year, water flow approached 15 million gallons per day.
Even though reservoirs now are at full capacity, officials encourage residents to continue conservation efforts during critical summer months.
The emergency water declaration was enacted in the fall of 2001. State law requires localities to pass a declaration before enforcing usage restrictions.
The law also mandates that declarations be lifted once conditions return to normal.
--Compiled by Jason Amirhadji
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