Six million residents across the region are being asked to be careful with their water use after the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments issued a drought watch on Monday.
Washington
D.C. region under drought watch as officials advise limiting water use
Officials remain adamant that region is prepared. The three water supply reservoirs in the region are full, and if needed water can be directed from them into the river basin. The water-saving measures suggested by local leaders on Monday — including taking five-minute showers; turning the faucet off when brushing your teeth; and waiting to wash dishes and laundry until you have full loads — remain voluntary.
“Our water supply infrastructure is well-equipped to handle drought,” Michael Nardolilli, the executive director of the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB), said in a news release. “Nevertheless, it makes sense for all of us to use water wisely and not waste this precious resource.”
The current drought watch is the second level in a four-part assessment scale used by local leaders and water utilities, according to Lindsey Martin, a communications specialist with the Council of Governments.
“If we reach ‘drought emergency,’ then the utilities would be looking to enact mandatory measures,” Martin said, referring to the scale’s highest level. The emergency level would be triggered if, based on the regional drought plan, there was a “50 percent probability” the region cannot “meet water supply demands over next month.”
According to the Council of Governments, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has declared that local precipitation levels are nearly 4 inches below normal in the last 60 days.
After a wet start to 2024, rain shut off abruptly this summer as temperatures soared to record highs. As the ground dried out rapidly, a “flash” drought overtook the D.C. area and other parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.
The federal government’s drought monitor shows extreme drought — the second-highest category — covering much of northwest Virginia, including the Interstate 81 corridor, most of Loudoun County and parts of Fairfax and Prince William counties. The rest of the D.C. area is classified under moderate to severe drought, except for Southern Maryland, where recent rains have helped close the rainfall deficit.
In early June, there was no drought in the region, but minimal amounts of rain have fallen since. Only about 0.5 to 2 inches of rain have fallen, which is less than half the norm.
The District posted its fourth-driest June on record with just 1.15 inches of rain.
Somewhat more rain has fallen in July, but it has been hit-or-miss with the highest amounts east of Interstate 95 and minimal totals to the west.
Both Dulles International and Baltimore-Washington International Marshall airports have registered their second-driest summers on record to date.
Through this week, downpours will continue to be hit-or-miss. The kind of widespread drenching needed to put a meaningful dent in the drought is not in the forecast.
The National Weather Service, however, gently leans toward above-normal rainfall during August in the region.