Drought Watch Advisory

The Virginia DEQ has declared a drought watch advisory for 17 counties in Virginia. A drought watch advisory is intended to increase awareness of conditions and facilitate preparation for a drought when indicators in the Drought Assessment and Response Plan have been met. 

With this advisory, DEQ is working with local governments, public water works, and water users in the affected areas, and is requesting that they prepare for a drought by developing or reviewing existing water conservation and drought response plans. Virginians are requested to help protect current water supplies by minimizing water use, monitor drought conditions, and detect and repair leaks.

If conditions persist and a drought is imminent, a drought warning will be issued. Water conservation and contingency plans that are already in place or have been prepared during a drought watch stage would then be implemented.