Rain showers are predicted for Sunday and Monday, but this rainfall will not quench the parched City of Charlottesville, according to Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority.
The Albemarle County drought warning issued Aug. 15 remains in effect, and Thomas L. Frederick, Jr., executive director of the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority, said he is not sure if conditions will improve soon, as the region has been very dry since July.
"If we have a dry winter followed by a dry summer, it could be very serious," Frederick said. "If we have a wet summer, it may not be so serious."
He added, though, that despite unpredictable weather, RWSA is "proactive and prepared." The main focus as of now, Frederick said, is to fill the area's water reservoirs.
"We have determined that it is critical that all of our reservoirs be full by 2008 so that we are prepared for next summer," Frederick said.
The reservoir currently in the most danger, according to Frederick, is the Sugar Hollow Reservoir. Located at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the water level of the reservoir is currently 12 feet below the full level, Frederick said.
Predicted small showers, though, will not provide sufficient relief.
"If we get a major rain event then we will reevaluate the situation at that time," Frederick said, adding however that he does not think the area will move into a drought emergency phase before next summer.
Frederick noted that he does not expect more water restrictions to be implemented, unless the unlikely drought emergency is declared.
University Utilities Director Cheryl Gomez said University water usage has decreased since last year. Comparing this year's months of July, August, September and October to last year's, Gomez said water usage has decreased by more than 11, 7, 11 and 8 percent respectively.
Gomez said the University's main focus has been raising community awareness of the drought. The University also is working closely with on-site contractors to find ways to reduce water usage, Gomez said, and is only using non-potable water instead of water from the Charlottesville community's supply for its watering needs.
Gomez added that she expects the University's water usage to decrease in the coming months because of the upcoming Winter Break and because the University has switched from air-conditioning to heating.
When a drought emergency was declared in 2002, Gomez said, the University also made many changes in its water usage. The University, she said, switched to paper plates in the dining halls; water was only served upon request; shower tags were placed in all dormitories; and hand sanitizer was placed in University bathrooms.
Gomez said the University will make those changes again if a drought emergency is declared in the near future.
"We're prepared to go there again if we need to," Gomez said.
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