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Current Loudoun Drought Status?

Discussion in 'Broadlands Community Issues' started by L0stS0ul, May 14, 2008.

  1. L0stS0ul

    L0stS0ul hmmmm

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    With all of the rain we've had over the past few months I was just wondering if anyone knew what the current drought status is? Have we made up the shortfall?
     
  2. GeauxTigers

    GeauxTigers Member

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    http://www.loudounwater.org/

    If you look at the diagram on the top right, as of May 2 it looked like the reservoir was getting near full. With all the rains in the last week, it would seem likely that it would be full by now.
     
  3. L0stS0ul

    L0stS0ul hmmmm

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    good site to know, thanks. Even like the cup of water image heh.
     
  4. mdr227

    mdr227 Member

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    It amazes me how even with the long period of water restrictions and the massive amounts of rain we've had lately how people are still running sprinkler systems every other day. A few of my neighbor's had theirs running on Tuesday morning after we had just had 7 inches of rain over the weekend! Those same people were running them again today. I know systems have rain meters that may or may not work well, but you can also very easily turn them off for a few days at the control box in the garage. With 7 inches of rain and more predicted tomorrow people should not need to run the systems for a long time.
     
  5. WesGurney

    WesGurney New Member

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    I stopped by the reservoir a few days ago and it was back to the original level.

    It was pretty amazing to see it back to normal levels considering how empty it was last summer.
     
  6. jim

    jim New Member

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    Great point. I bet the study that LCSA is doing on determing how water is used will point to automatic lawn sprinklers as the largest discretionary use of water.

    I hope that when the reservoir level begins to dip again, the county can be a bit more proactive and begin limitations to reduce lawn watering before the reservoir becomes critically low so that we can all enjoy use of the natural resource without having to resort to a draconian limit of no outside use of water unless from a 3 gallon bucket.

    -Jim
     
  7. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

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    The largest use is probably those WITHOUT sprinkler systems.

    Most automatic sprinkler systems installed in the past several years have automatic sensors that determine the moisture of the soil and turn on/off automatically.

    Those who water the lawn with just an ordinary hose and sprinkler have a tendancy to over water.
     
  8. sowalker

    sowalker New Member

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    just a quick note reguarding the beaverdam resevior- the water from it is used by faifax city not loudoun county.
    i stand corrected- everything changes with time!
     
  9. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    True, but LCSA does buy back water from Fairfax to use.
     
  10. Mazinger

    Mazinger New Member

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    http://www.loudountimes.com/news/2008/may/08/residents-asked-limit-lawn-watering-twice-week/
    By Jason Jacks
    Source: Loudoun Times-Mirror
    THURSDAY, MAY 8 2008

    In light of last year's damaging drought, Loudoun Water has a simple message for its 55,000 costumers: Water less and not while it's raining.

    Though the county lifted mandatory water restrictions earlier this year, Loudoun Water is still asking its customers, most of whom reside east of U.S. 15, to water only twice a week and on designated days: Wednesday and Saturday for residents with odd addresses, Thursday and Sunday for even addresses, and Tuesday and Friday for apartment complexes and nonresidential buildings.


    The largest drain on the county's water supply, according to Loudoun's largest water supplier, are residential lawn watering systems, many of which are set to activate on the same days and at the same time.
    “What kills us is the simultaneous running,” said Loudoun Water spokeswoman Samantha Villegas, adding that about 70 percent of the county's water supply is eaten up by irrigation systems.


    During the peak watering months of spring and summer, Loudoun Water estimates 90 percent of these so-called “set it and forget it” systems turn on at 4 a.m. every third day no matter the weather.
    Through an outreach program it will soon launch, Loudoun Water will encourage customers to switch to more sophisticated “smart” watering systems, which take into account weather conditions and soil moisture, and shut off when not needed.


    Villegas said while these systems are more expensive to buy, they can reduce water bills by up to 30 percent.
    “Yes, they are more pricey,” she said. “But our customers are either going to pay me or pay [the manufacturers].”
     
  11. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

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    I stand "somewhat" corrected. ;)

    I would hope people would spend the extra bucks for a soil moisture sensor.
     
  12. cindyb

    cindyb New Member

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    I walk to Hillside and many mornings in the past few weeks I have seen wet sidewalks from people watering their lawns overnight. If people don't have sensors they should certainly have their timers off because these lawns don't need water right now. It is such a waste to see all of this runoff.
     

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