{"id":223,"date":"2016-04-15T14:42:47","date_gmt":"2016-04-15T14:42:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/drinking-water\/?page_id=223"},"modified":"2026-07-14T14:35:24","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T18:35:24","slug":"drought-monitoring-program","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/drinking-water\/source-water-programs\/drought-monitoring-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Drought Monitoring Program"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pl-223\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-223-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-223-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-223-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p>Prolonged periods of drought have environmental, economical and social consequences.\u00a0Droughts directly affect both the quantity and quality of drinking water supplies.<\/p>\n<p>The Virginia Department of Health, Office of Drinking Water (VDH-ODW) is one of 12 partners monitoring drought conditions and its effects in the Commonwealth of Virginia guided by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2016\/04\/VirginiaDroughtResponsePlan.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Virginia Drought Assessment and Response Plan<\/a>. These monitoring efforts are led by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) through a group called the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.deq.virginia.gov\/water\/water-quantity\/drought\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Drought Monitoring Task Force (DMTF)<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Under the DMTF, the VDH-ODW is responsible for monitoring and reporting the operational status of\u00a0waterworks as it relates to drought conditions.<\/p>\n<p><strong>ODW\u2019s DMTF Latest Report<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>VDH-ODW\u2019s Drought Monitoring map and trend are illustrated below. The map reflects the percentage of public\u00a0 water sources operating under drought restrictions within the main river basins of Virginia.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.deq.virginia.gov\/home\/showpublisheddocument\/35813\">Click here to access the most recent Drought Summary Report<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/Drought_Allsources_July14_2026-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-9147\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/Drought_Allsources_July14_2026-300x212.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1017\" height=\"719\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/Drought_Allsources_July14_2026-300x212.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/Drought_Allsources_July14_2026-1024x724.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/Drought_Allsources_July14_2026-768x543.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/Drought_Allsources_July14_2026-1536x1086.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/Drought_Allsources_July14_2026-2048x1448.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1017px) 100vw, 1017px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Other useful links<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/waterutilityresponse\/drought-response-and-recovery-water-utilities\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">EPA Tools on Drought Response and Recovery for Water Utilities<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/waterwatch.usgs.gov\/?state=va&amp;map_type=real&amp;web_type=map\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">USGS Surface Water real-time stream flows<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/03\/Drought-Fact-Sheet-1.pdf\"><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Managing Your Private Well During a Drought<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\">(VDH)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Hauling Water guidance \u2013 Chapter 16 of the\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/townhall.virginia.gov\/L\/ViewGDoc.cfm?gdid=7530\"><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Field Operations Manual<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\">(VDH)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.deq.virginia.gov\/home\/showpublisheddocument\/5115\/637490843054630000\"><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Virginia Drought Assessment and Response Plan<\/span><\/i><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Mutual Aid Organization for Waterworks:\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.vawarn.org\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">www.vawarn.org<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/02\/Waterworks-Emergency-Response-Plan-ERP-Template-January-2025.pdf\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Emergency Response Plan Template\u00a0<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-223-0-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-accordion panel-last-child\" data-index=\"1\" ><div class=\"so-rounded panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-223-0-0-1\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-accordion so-widget-sow-accordion-default-dcd078004b37-223\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h3 class=\"widget-title\">ODW Drought FAQs<\/h3><div>\n\t<div class=\"sow-accordion\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"what-does-it-mean-if-a-well-goes-dry\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-what-does-it-mean-if-a-well-goes-dry\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-what-does-it-mean-if-a-well-goes-dry\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat does it mean if a well goes dry?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-what-does-it-mean-if-a-well-goes-dry\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-what-does-it-mean-if-a-well-goes-dry\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW143995511 BCX0\">A well is said to have gone dry when water levels drop below a pump intake. This does not mean that a dry well will never have water in it again, as the water level may come back through time. The water level in a well depends on\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW143995511 BCX0\">a number of<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW143995511 BCX0\">\u00a0things, such as the depth of the well, the type (confined or unconfined) of aquifer the well taps, the amount of pumping that occurs in this aquifer, and the amount of recharge occurring.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"what-are-the-symptoms-when-a-well-goes-dry\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-what-are-the-symptoms-when-a-well-goes-dry\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-what-are-the-symptoms-when-a-well-goes-dry\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat are the symptoms when a well goes dry?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-what-are-the-symptoms-when-a-well-goes-dry\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-what-are-the-symptoms-when-a-well-goes-dry\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW190179555 BCX0\">Loss of pressure and\/or water service, along with sputtering faucets (air in water), cloudy or gritty water, while using your well water can be indicators that the well may be going dry. This can occur when the water level in the well is pumped down to the well pump inlet \u2014 resulting in the loss of water pressure and\/or water service. If water use is stopped and the well is allowed to rest, it may refill and water service is restored. Owners should be careful not to run the\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW190179555 BCX0\">pump<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW190179555 BCX0\">\u00a0while the water level is low as this could damage the pump.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"can-other-problems-cause-loss-of-pressure-and-or-water-service\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-can-other-problems-cause-loss-of-pressure-andor-water-service\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-can-other-problems-cause-loss-of-pressure-andor-water-service\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCan other problems cause loss of pressure and\/or water service?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-can-other-problems-cause-loss-of-pressure-andor-water-service\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-can-other-problems-cause-loss-of-pressure-andor-water-service\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW61094913 BCX0\">Yes. An electrical problem with\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW61094913 BCX0\">a\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW61094913 BCX0\">switch, circuit breaker, supply wiring, or a failure of a submersible pump can cause loss of pressure and\/or water service. The owner should contact a licensed water well system provider to\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW61094913 BCX0\">determine<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW61094913 BCX0\">\u00a0the cause.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"can-an-operator-tell-if-a-well-is-about-to-go-dry\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-can-an-operator-tell-if-a-well-is-about-to-go-dry\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-can-an-operator-tell-if-a-well-is-about-to-go-dry\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCan an operator tell if a well is about to go dry?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-can-an-operator-tell-if-a-well-is-about-to-go-dry\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-can-an-operator-tell-if-a-well-is-about-to-go-dry\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW111296245 BCX0\">When the water level in the well is low, the operator might notice a reduced pumping rate and lower well\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW111296245 BCX0\">pump\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW111296245 BCX0\">discharge pressure, even if there are no symptoms of sputtering faucets or gritty water. An<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW111296245 BCX0\">\u00a0operator could\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW111296245 BCX0\">measure the static water level and pumping water\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW111296245 BCX0\">level\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW111296245 BCX0\">(at the end of a pumping campaign) and compare current levels with historic levels, and the pump intake level. When the pumping water level approaches the pump intake level, the well may be in danger of going dry<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW111296245 BCX0\">.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"what-can-an-operator-do-to-avoid-pumping-a-well-dry\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-what-can-an-operator-do-to-avoid-pumping-a-well-dry\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-what-can-an-operator-do-to-avoid-pumping-a-well-dry\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat can an operator do to avoid pumping a well dry?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-what-can-an-operator-do-to-avoid-pumping-a-well-dry\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-what-can-an-operator-do-to-avoid-pumping-a-well-dry\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW128736122 BCX0\">The operator can reduce the pumping rate to match the pumping rate to the flowrate of water into the well.<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW128736122 BCX0\">\u00a0For some waterworks, the operator can shorten the duration of the pumping period by<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW128736122 BCX0\">\u00a0adjusting the well controls.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"will-rain-during-the-summer-recharge-the-groundwater\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-will-rain-during-the-summer-recharge-the-groundwater\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-will-rain-during-the-summer-recharge-the-groundwater\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWill rain during the summer recharge the groundwater?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-will-rain-during-the-summer-recharge-the-groundwater\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-will-rain-during-the-summer-recharge-the-groundwater\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW243921905 BCX0\">Generally, groundwater<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW243921905 BCX0\">\u00a0is recharged during the\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW243921905 BCX0\">late\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW243921905 BCX0\">fall,\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW243921905 BCX0\">winter<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW243921905 BCX0\">\u00a0and spring. During the growing season there is not enough precipitation<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW243921905 BCX0\">\u00a0to recharge the groundwater. Owners that depend on groundwater\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW243921905 BCX0\">likely will<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW243921905 BCX0\">\u00a0not see significant improvement in groundwater levels until winter precipitation arrives.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"ive-seen-someone-still-watering-their-lawn-washing-their-car-etc-who-do-i-report-that-to\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-i%e2%80%99ve-seen-someone-still-watering-their-lawnwashing-their-caretc-who-do-i-report-that-to\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-i%e2%80%99ve-seen-someone-still-watering-their-lawnwashing-their-caretc-who-do-i-report-that-to\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tI\u2019ve seen someone still watering their lawn\/washing their car\/etc., who do I report that to?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-i%e2%80%99ve-seen-someone-still-watering-their-lawnwashing-their-caretc-who-do-i-report-that-to\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-i%e2%80%99ve-seen-someone-still-watering-their-lawnwashing-their-caretc-who-do-i-report-that-to\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW264618098 BCX0\">During declared drought emergencies, local governments are the primary entities responsible for enforcing mandatory water restrictions. Please contact your local government representative\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW264618098 BCX0\">regarding<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW264618098 BCX0\">\u00a0any enforcement-related concerns.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"it-is-recommended-for-groundwater-sources-to-monitor-well-levels-in-severe-drought-designated-areas-how-can-i-monitor-my-well-level-without-disrupting-the-water-supply\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-it-is-recommended-for-groundwater-sources-to-monitor-well-levels-in-severe-drought-designated-areas-how-can-i-monitor-my-well-level-without-disrupting-the-water-supply\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-it-is-recommended-for-groundwater-sources-to-monitor-well-levels-in-severe-drought-designated-areas-how-can-i-monitor-my-well-level-without-disrupting-the-water-supply\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIt is recommended for groundwater sources to monitor well levels in severe drought designated areas. How can I monitor my well level without disrupting the water supply? \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-it-is-recommended-for-groundwater-sources-to-monitor-well-levels-in-severe-drought-designated-areas-how-can-i-monitor-my-well-level-without-disrupting-the-water-supply\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-it-is-recommended-for-groundwater-sources-to-monitor-well-levels-in-severe-drought-designated-areas-how-can-i-monitor-my-well-level-without-disrupting-the-water-supply\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW5857729 BCX0\">Monitoring well levels can be a challenge, particularly for smaller systems. One way is to use a\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW5857729 BCX0\">water<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW5857729 BCX0\">\u00a0level se<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW5857729 BCX0\">nsor tape<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW5857729 BCX0\">, which requires measuring both the static and pumping (at end of pumping campaign) water levels. The well pump intake level must also be known.<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW5857729 BCX0\">\u00a0Another method for monitoring water levels in wells is through the use of a sonic water level meter. A pressure transducer\/datalogger can also be used to record the height of the water column over the top of the transducer.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"how-can-my-waterworks-develop-an-emergency-response-plan-what-should-be-done-when-this-is-complete\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-how-can-my-waterworks-develop-an-emergency-response-plan-what-should-be-done-when-this-is-complete\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-how-can-my-waterworks-develop-an-emergency-response-plan-what-should-be-done-when-this-is-complete\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow can my waterworks develop an Emergency Response Plan? What should be done when this is complete?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-how-can-my-waterworks-develop-an-emergency-response-plan-what-should-be-done-when-this-is-complete\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-how-can-my-waterworks-develop-an-emergency-response-plan-what-should-be-done-when-this-is-complete\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW160612176 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW160612176 BCX0\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TrackedChange SCXW160612176 BCX0\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW160612176 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW160612176 BCX0\">An Emergency Operations Plan template can be found\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><a class=\"Hyperlink TrackedChange TrackChangeHyperlinkInstruction SCXW160612176 BCX0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/02\/Waterworks-Emergency-Response-Plan-ERP-Template-January-2025.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"TrackedChange SCXW160612176 BCX0\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW160612176 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW160612176 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">here<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"TrackedChange SCXW160612176 BCX0\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW160612176 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW160612176 BCX0\">.<\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"TrackedChange SCXW160612176 BCX0\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW160612176 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW160612176 BCX0\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"TrackedChange SCXW160612176 BCX0\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW160612176 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW160612176 BCX0\">Waterworks are encouraged to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"TrackedChange SCXW160612176 BCX0\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW160612176 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW160612176 BCX0\">share<\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"TrackedChange SCXW160612176 BCX0\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW160612176 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW160612176 BCX0\">\u00a0water level<\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"TrackedChange SCXW160612176 BCX0\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW160612176 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW160612176 BCX0\">s<\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"TrackedChange SCXW160612176 BCX0\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW160612176 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW160612176 BCX0\">\u00a0and emergency response plan<\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"TrackedChange SCXW160612176 BCX0\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW160612176 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW160612176 BCX0\">s<\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"TrackedChange SCXW160612176 BCX0\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW160612176 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW160612176 BCX0\">\u00a0with\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"TrackedChange SCXW160612176 BCX0\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW160612176 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW160612176 BCX0\">ODW<\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"TrackedChange SCXW160612176 BCX0\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW160612176 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW160612176 BCX0\">\u00a0field offices and our Source Water Protection team<\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW160612176 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW160612176 BCX0\">\u00a0at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW160612176 BCX0\" href=\"mailto:SourceWater@vdh.virginia.gov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"TrackedChange SCXW160612176 BCX0\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW160612176 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW160612176 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">SourceWater@vdh.virginia.gov<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"TextRun SCXW160612176 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW160612176 BCX0\">.<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW160612176 BCX0\">\u00a0See\u00a0<\/span><\/span><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW160612176 BCX0\" href=\"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/admincode\/title22\/agency40\/chapter73\/section950\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW160612176 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW160612176 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">22VAC40-73-950. Emergency preparedness and response plan<\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"TextRun SCXW160612176 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW160612176 BCX0\">\u00a0for more information.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP TrackedChange SCXW160612176 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"what-other-ways-can-waterworks-conserve-water-during-a-severe-drought\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-what-other-ways-can-waterworks-conserve-water-during-a-severe-drought\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-what-other-ways-can-waterworks-conserve-water-during-a-severe-drought\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat other ways can waterworks conserve water during a severe drought?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-what-other-ways-can-waterworks-conserve-water-during-a-severe-drought\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-what-other-ways-can-waterworks-conserve-water-during-a-severe-drought\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW88543276 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW88543276 BCX0\">It can be beneficial to waterworks to explore leak detection and\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW88543276 BCX0\">other pathways to reduce water loss within the distribution system.\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW88543276 BCX0\">The Department of Energy has resources on reducing distribution leaks\u00a0<\/span><\/span><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW88543276 BCX0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/cmei\/femp\/water-efficient-technology-opportunity-distribution-system-leak-detection\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW88543276 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW88543276 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">here<\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"TextRun SCXW88543276 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW88543276 BCX0\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP TrackedChange SCXW88543276 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Prolonged periods of drought have environmental, economical and social consequences.\u00a0Droughts directly affect both the quantity and quality of drinking water supplies. The Virginia Department of Health, Office of Drinking Water (VDH-ODW) is one of 12 partners monitoring drought conditions and its effects in the Commonwealth of Virginia guided by the Virginia Drought Assessment and Response [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":657,"featured_media":0,"parent":127,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-223","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Drought Monitoring Program - Drinking Water<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/drinking-water\/source-water-programs\/drought-monitoring-program\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Drought Monitoring Program - Drinking Water\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Prolonged periods of drought have environmental, economical and social consequences.\u00a0Droughts directly affect both the quantity and quality of drinking water supplies. 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