The Town of Stuart is asking its water customers to voluntarily reduce outdoor and non-essential water use until further notice.
The town’s water remains safe to drink and the supply remains adequate. This is a request for prudence rather than a restriction, and no penalties will be imposed.
The town draws all of its water from the South Mayo River. Town operators measure the depth of flow over the intake check dam and report each reading to the Virginia Department of Health. The reading taken on the morning of September 14 was 1-5/8 inches, the lowest since the town began keeping this record. Patrick County lies within the Roanoke River drought evaluation region, which the Commonwealth placed under a drought emergency advisory in July.
In August, the town set out in advance the river levels at which it would take each step and shared those levels with the Virginia Department of Health. This request is the step that the current river level calls for.
Customers are asked to defer lawn and garden irrigation; washing of vehicles, siding, decks, driveways and sidewalks; and Customers are asked to defer lawn and garden irrigation; washing of vehicles, siding, decks, driveways and sidewalks; and the filling or topping off of swimming pools.
Customers are also asked to report leaks to the Town Office at (276) 694-3811 — a running toilet or dripping outdoor spigot wastes more water than most households can save by other means. Customers are also asked to report leaks to the Town Office at (276) 694-3811 — a running toilet or dripping outdoor spigot wastes more water than most households can save by other means.
Ordinary indoor use, including drinking, cooking, bathing, laundry and sanitation, is not affected.
The town has installed a staff gauge at the river intake so that readings are consistent, and will bring a drought response plan and a water conservation ordinance before the Stuart Town Council on Oct. 21. If conditions continue to decline, mandatory restrictions on these same outdoor uses would be the next step.
Questions may be directed to the town office, 100 Patrick Avenue, Stuart, or (276) 694-3811.
