Drought Update
10/8/2024
FCWSA continues to monitor groundwater levels and precipitation in our region, and the Northern Virginia Drought Evaluation Region that includes Fauquier County remains in Drought Watch status currently. Following a severe drought through fall 2023, this summer Fauquier experienced an intense "flash drought" that greatly stressed water supplies in our region throughout summer and early fall 2024. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), June 2024 was the driest June in Fauquier's 130-year weather history. This particularly stressed our ability to deliver water for discretionary outdoor uses such as irrigation. Total Precipitation over the last twelve months remains slightly below normal for parts of our region, but recent rains have helped alleviate deficits in soil moisture, stream flows, and groundwater levels, and we anticipate DEQ lifting drought advisories within the Commonwealth over the coming month. FCWSA relies solely on groundwater from 46 wells throughout Fauquier County, primarily in the Service Districts, which collect water from fractures in the bedrock deep beneath our water systems. October 1st marks the start of the "water year," which is when our wells begin recovering from the summertime demands and store water to carry us through the next summer. During an average year it's estimated that less than 25% of rainfall migrates through these fractures to be captured by FCWSA's groundwater wells - in drought years this may be less than 15% of rainfall, which is why it's important to conserve our natural resources. FCWSA is no longer under mandatory restrictions on water usage at this time, but we urge our customers to use water wisely so that our wells can begin recovery and build up water for the coming year.