A local emergency has been declared for the ongoing drought conditions and a recommendation against open-air burning has been issued. Under a drought warning per the Page County Code, the following voluntary water restrictions are encouraged and requested:
- Use of water for washing or cleaning of mobile equipment, including automobiles, trucks, trailers and boats, except in licensed commercial vehicle wash facilities;
- Washing paved surfaces such as streets, roads, sidewalks, driveways, garages, parking areas, tennis courts, and patios except where mandated by state or local ordinance or when performed by a licensed commercial power-washing company.
- Irrigation of landscaping and lawns, including the use of outside, automatic irrigation systems, including in-ground systems, hoses, and oscillating sprinklers, for all established lawns, trees, plants, shrubs, and home gardens. Recommend the watering of outside established trees, plants, shrubs, and home gardens by manually using a non-leaking hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle, and only as necessary to preserve plant life. Newly seeded lawns and plantings installed by a licensed contractor shall have a forty-five-day establishment period for the date of installation. Sodded lawns installed by a licensed contractor shall have a twenty-day establishment period and shall use no more than 1/2 inch of water over the sodded area daily. Recommend outside automatic irrigation systems be used during the establishment period, but only between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m.
- Irrigation of golf courses.
- Use of water for the operation of ornamental foundations, artificial waterfalls, reflecting pools, misting machines, or other structures.
- Irrigation of athletic fields except as necessary to preserve plant life.
- Use of water to fill and top off outdoor swimming pools except that pools may be filled to a level of two feet below normal, or as necessary to protect the structure from hydrostatic damage, as to pools constructed or contracted for on or before the effective date of this article.
- The service of drinking water in restaurants except upon request.
- The use of water from fire hydrants for any purposes other than fire suppression unless otherwise specifically approved by the County.
The Page County Emergency Management has activated the Emergency Operations Center virtually to monitor the current situation, and facilitate the reporting of resource needs for the citizens of Page County.
To report water shortages for private residences, email eoc@pagecounty.virginia.gov or call 540-843-3491 and leave a message.
For educational resources about managing your farm/livestock during a drought, contact the Virginia Cooperative Extension Office in Page County at 540-778-5794 or email Elizabeth Baldwin.
For questions about water resources for livestock contact the Virginia Farm Service Agency in the Harrisonburg Office at 540-433-9126.