FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 12, 2023
DRINKING WATER UPDATE
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – The Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority (RWSA), Albemarle County Service Authority, and City of Charlottesville Utilities Department report that they are prepared to meet the community’s public drinking water needs, despite below normal rainfall. However, water conservation is encouraged for public water and private well users as drought-like conditions are occurring throughout central Virginia.
Our community uses 10 - 12 million gallons of drinking water each day. Reservoirs managed by the RWSA store water for our water treatment plants, and those reservoirs are currently 93% full. Since most of our area is in a “Moderate Drought” as indicated by the U.S. Drought Monitor, our residents and businesses should be mindful about conserving water by limiting outdoor watering, washing cars and filling pools.
Guided by a long-term water supply plan completed by our community in 2012, RWSA has been constructing infrastructure to increase the water supply for our community in preparation for growth and extended droughts caused by uncertain climate conditions. A new dam to expand the Ragged Mountain Reservoir was completed in 2014, major renovations of the two largest water treatment plants will be completed this year, and significant water piping projects will be completed to increase water storage capacity and improve infrastructure resilience.
Executive Director of the RWSA, Bill Mawyer, states “We strategically manage our reservoirs and water treatment plants during the winter and spring in preparation for the dry summer and fall seasons. We are confident there is an adequate supply of drinking water to serve our community for the foreseeable future. We thank the community for its ongoing support of water conservation as we continue to promote the wise use of water by everyone this season and year-round.”
Media Contact
Betsy Nemeth
Director of Administration & Communications
Rivanna Solid Waste Authority
434-977-2970 ext. 111
