The Albemarle County Service Authority has adjusted drought restrictions to allow more water usage under certain conditions and reduce the financial stress on companies depending on this use, according to Gary Fern, executive director of the Albemarle County service authority. The changes go into effect today.
"The reason for the change is two-fold," Fern said. "One, to reduce the economic burden on the nurserymen, landscapers and irrigation officers in the county and two, to reduce the number of areas where potential erosion could occur."
These adjustments in water restrictions result in four main changes, according to Fern. First, existing trees, plants and gardens may be manually watered using a hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle. Secondly, with prior notification to the ACSA, newly seeded lawns and plantings installed by a licensed contractor may be watered for a period of 45 days from the date of installation. Third, with prior notification to the ACSA, newly sodded lawns installed by a licensed contractor may be watered for a period of 20 days from the date of installation and finally, automatic outside irrigation systems under contract prior to Aug. 16 may be tested.
Some water restrictions, though, still remain in effect. According to the ACSA Web site, automobiles, trucks, and trailers may not be washed except in a licensed facility, ornamental fountains may not be used, and streets, driveways and parking lots may not be washed unless mandated by town ordinance or when performed by a licensed power washing company. Also, drinking water still may not be served in restaurants unless requested.
Despite the loosened water restrictions, not many changes will result around Grounds.
"For construction projects where we are doing planting, it would allow us to do watering, but it still does not allow us to water established vegetation," University Environmental Compliance Manager Jeff Sitler said. "So, we still would not be allowed to, say, water the Lawn on central Grounds. But if we planted grass or put sod down around a new building, we could water [that.]"
In compliance with county water policies, irrigation on Grounds has stopped. According to Sitler, the effects of the drought on the University is obvious to anyone who walks out on to the rather dry Lawn.
"The only watering we are allowed to do is by hand and that water is coming from the storm water pond behind the south garage," he said. "We are not using portable water for any watering."
A drought consists of three stages, according to Fern. The first is a drought watch, which entails voluntary water conservation. The second is a drought warning, which includes certain county-imposed water restrictions and the third is a drought emergency, which would include even further restrictions.
Albemarle county is currently in the second stage of the drought, however, city officials do not anticipate a drought emergency in the near future.
"Based on historical data," Fern said," the further we get into the fall, the less likely it is that we will go to the drought emergency phase."
Despite this forecast, restrictions will likely not let up completely.
"Based on the long term forecasts, which are calling for a dry winter, we are expecting the drought to continue," Fern said.
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