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LCSA Seeks Mandatory Water Restrictions

Discussion in 'Broadlands Community Issues' started by section84, Oct 2, 2007.

  1. section84

    section84 New Member

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  2. dbrow

    dbrow Member

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    From the Loudoun Alert System...

    The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors today adopted a resolution declaring a water shortage emergency and instituting mandatory water restrictions for customers of the Loudoun County Sanitation Authority (LCSA) in eastern Loudoun County.

    The ongoing drought has greatly reduced water levels in the reservoirs used by LCSA to provide water to its customers. Voluntary restrictions imposed by the County Administrator in early August reduced demand by approximately 10%, but not enough to significantly impact the water levels in light of the continuing lack of rainfall in the area since the beginning of August.

    LCSA officials say the mandatory restrictions will ease demand, and if rainfall increases, help return the reservoirs to their pre-drought levels. Effective immediately, the restrictions prohibit:

     Watering of lawns and landscaping, except using three-gallon containers (with the exception of vegetation planted since September 1, 2007)

     Washing vehicles except in a commercial washing facility or using a bucket or other container not exceeding three gallons in capacity

     Washing streets, driveways, or other paved areas and buildings, except using three- gallon containers

     Operating ornamental fountains

     Filling swimming or wading pools, unless already more than three-quarters full

     Serving drinking water in restaurants, unless specifically requested

    Violators may be fined up to $500 for each offense, and repeat violators may be subject to a cutoff of their water supply for up to five days. Before any customers are fined, they will receive a verbal warning from the Sheriff's Office.

    More information about water conservation is available on the Loudoun County government website, www.loudoun.gov and from the LCSA at www.lcsa.org.


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  3. sharse

    sharse TeamDonzi rocks!!

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    We had our lawn overseeded a week or so ago, so I guess we're ok to continue to water it?
     
  4. afgm

    afgm Ashburn Farm Resident

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    Not really necessary to water it now, it will stay there until it gets water to start growing.

     
  5. gryphon

    gryphon Banned User

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    I'm not sure I understand the public policy rationale for exempting commercial car washes from the water restrictions. Is it solely to make sure that they don't go out of business, or is it because they reclaim/reuse/recycle the water?
     
  6. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    Probably both - wouldn't be pretty for the board to effectively shut down a business over something like this. Can you hear the lawyers chomping at the bit already...
     
  7. Kaosdad

    Kaosdad Will work for Rum

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    The Ashburn Car Wash & Sweetwater Splash (in Sterling) both recycle their water. I cannot vouch for the washed attached to gas stations.

    Note to self: Do NOT take the bike thru the car wash - it hurts.
     
  8. gryphon

    gryphon Banned User

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    Thanks, Kaosdad. It's good to knwo that we can use Ashburn Car Wash without feeling too guilty.:happygrin:
     
  9. wahoogeek

    wahoogeek New Member

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    so if you seeded the lawn you can still water at will??? seems kinda strange. And what proof do you need when the water cops come calling?
     
  10. Fritz

    Fritz New Member

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    per the LCSA wbsite watering lawns that have been overseeded is not allowed: "The over-seeding of existing turf does not qualify for this exemption."

    Because of the sustained drought conditions, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors have imposed Mandatory Water Restrictions in accordance with Chapter 1044.07 (a) Plan C-1, 1-6 of the County Code. The Board passed the resolution unanimously, and restrictions go into effect immediately for LCSA’s central system customers. Under this Ordinance, use of the LCSA central service water supply for any of the following purposes is prohibited until further notice:
    (1) Watering of shrubbery, trees, lawns, grass, plants or any other vegetation, except from a watering can or other container not exceeding three gallons in capacity, excluding plant nurseries, golf course greens and commercial agricultural activities. Any new grass, sod or vegetation planted since September 1, 2007 may be watered on an odd-even schedule. The over-seeding of existing turf does not qualify for this exemption.
     
  11. sharse

    sharse TeamDonzi rocks!!

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    OK. Time to turn off the sprinkler system.
     
  12. Mr Rogers

    Mr Rogers Active Member

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    Because commercial car washes recycle their water, sillers! :notfunny: The average gas-station type car wash will use less than one pint of water per car, mostly due to spillage, evaporation, and the little bit that sticks to the car.
     
  13. Mr Rogers

    Mr Rogers Active Member

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  14. gryphon

    gryphon Banned User

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    Is this required by law, or do they do it out of their own financial interest (reusing water is better than buying more fresh from the county)? I'm not advocating for more laws. I really am just wondering.
     
  15. mdr227

    mdr227 Member

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    I was planning on laying grass seed in a number of areas in my front yard this weekend that were torn up by Verizon doing the fiber installation in our neighborhood about a month ago, but guess I'll have to wait on that or water with a watering can.

    If homeowners would have done more ton conserve water during the voluntary restrictions these mandatory ones probably would not have been necessary. I have many neighbors that water their lawns with sprinkler systems daily, some of them in the middle of the afternoon, or at least every other day.

    Also, large communities like the Broadlands and Brambleton that have such expansive landscaping could also have cut back more on watering grass areas, especially those that are more established.
     
  16. blue_devil

    blue_devil New Member

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    The best watered grass in Broadlands leads people in and out of the Van Metre model homes. The sprinklers on Claiborne south of Waxpool never took a break (also watering the road quite a bit) this summer. Developers have very little vested interest in voluntarily cutting down on their water usage. All they want is an attractive view for perspective customers. Only way to curb their usage (or any behavior) is through money: up the cost of water.
     
  17. sharse

    sharse TeamDonzi rocks!!

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    They still haven't taken a break. They were on this morning too.
     
  18. StephNBen

    StephNBen Southern Walk Resident

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    Just the other day I saw the water trucks watering the common grass. It really upsets me to see such waste. Does anyone know if the HOA is in charge of that or is it Van Metre?
     
  19. mamatothree

    mamatothree New Member

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    The HOA does NOT water by truck... that is Van Metre.
     
  20. magius

    magius New Member

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    Van Metre is responsible.
    I gave them a call a few minutes ago, just to remind them about the restrictions before they get any infractions. The person who took the call (and wanted my name too) did not sound too thrilled when I told her the reason I was calling them for.

    Best thing you guys can do is give them a call, because I am guessing they will not do much about it unless some more people call or they get an official notice.
     

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