Graphic courtesy of Botetourt Co.
As the Western Virginia Water Authority (WVWA) has entered Stage 1 voluntary water conservation because of regional drought conditions, Botetourt County is working to clarify which residents are served by the authority and who is affected by the conservation request.
In a social media post this week, the county shared an infographic explaining that most of Botetourt County is not within the WVWA’s service area.
County officials said the post was prompted by the authority’s voluntary conservation request and by questions from residents about how the advisory affects the county.
“We learned of the voluntary water conservation efforts from the WVWA and knew citizens would wonder if they were included,” a county official said. “At the same time, it was an opportunity to explain where water comes from in Botetourt County. It’s one of those things where you turn on the tap and the water comes out, but you don’t always think about where it comes from.”
According to the graphic, the authority provides municipal water and/or sewer service to approximately 5,567 active utility connections in several service areas throughout the county, including Carvins Cove, North Botetourt, Eagle Rock, Glen Wilton, Griffith Park, Keswick Farms, Walnut Manor and Dal-Nita Hills.
The county said most Botetourt residents instead rely on private wells, springs, community wells or water systems operated by other providers. Those residents are not subject to the Western Virginia Water Authority’s voluntary conservation request, although the county encouraged all residents to conserve water during the ongoing drought.
County officials said the post was also intended to address questions that have surfaced during ongoing public discussions about the proposed Google data center campus at Greenfield.
“Water is a major topic of discussion right now given the ongoing drought as well as conversations surrounding future water usage at the data center campus inside Greenfield,” the county said. “It was an opportunity to explain where the Western Virginia Water Authority serves the county, and which areas it doesn’t.”
The authority’s Stage 1 voluntary conservation measures encourage customers to water lawns only before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m., repair leaking faucets and toilets, take shorter showers, run full loads of laundry and dishes, reduce vehicle washing, and use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks.
The county also noted that the authority’s drought contingency plan applies to all of its customers in Botetourt County, including residential, commercial and industrial users.
The social media post specifically states that future industrial customers, including the proposed Google data center, would also be subject to any water conservation measures implemented by the authority.
County officials said questions about whether the proposed data center would be exempt from future water conservation measures have been among the most common they have received.
“That has easily been one of the top questions we’ve received,” the official said. “Rightfully so, residents want to ensure that all industries, both current and future, are held to the same water restrictions, especially during a drought. The answer is an absolute yes.”
Officials said the Western Virginia Water Authority applies its conservation measures equally to all customers.
The county also sought to clarify differences between the authority’s municipal water system and private residential wells.
Officials said some public discussion has incorrectly linked the Carvins Cove Reservoir, which supplies the authority’s system, with private wells throughout the county.
According to the county, the two are separate systems. Carvins Cove is a surface-water reservoir supplied by rainfall and runoff within its protected watershed, while private wells draw from underground aquifers recharged by rainwater infiltrating the surrounding ground.
County officials said the infographic was intended to help residents better understand those distinctions while encouraging voluntary conservation regardless of water source.
“While most of the county is not impacted by the WVWA water conservation efforts, it’s still a good time to conserve water during a drought, even if you’re on your own private well,” the county said.
The current Stage 1 conservation request remains voluntary and proactive.
Additional information about water conservation and the authority’s drought response is available through the Western Virginia Water Authority’s WaterWise program.
~ Fincastle Herald staff report
