Southside VA News

On April 12, 2022, the Select Board reaffirmed continuation of the ban on outdoor watering.

Following discussion, the Board reinforced the ban applies to: 

1. Watering of established turf (lawns), shrubs, or flower gardens by irrigation systems, sprinklers, or hand watering. 
2. Washing of vehicles, driveways, sidewalks, decks, houses, or outdoor furniture. 
3. Topping off of swimming pools or hot tubs. 

While outdoor water use is allowed for the following, we ask for your help to conserve our water supply whenever possible: 

1. Watering is allowed for newly installed lawns, plantings, and transplanting’s, vegetable gardens, and the Community Garden. If residents want to plant trees or shrubs, consider waiting to do so as these plantings require more water 
2. Watering mitigation plantings approved by the Conservation Commission. 
3. Power washing of boat bottoms and flushing of engines and washing of gear. 
4. Water use at Town Landings and Fish Pier. 

The Town continues to experience reduced water supply capacity due to two municipal wells being off-line because of PFAS contamination. While Well #4 has been brought back online after extended closure to help offset the closure of Wells 5 & 8, the Town is asking users of municipal water to limit outdoor water use whenever possible. Temporary treatment for PFAS for Wells 5 & 8 is expected to be online before this summer. Water entering the Town’s supply is safe to drink. 

Groundwater levels continue to be low following last summers drought conditions and lack of sufficient precipitation over the winter and so far, this spring. 

Violations of this mandatory outdoor watering ban will result in the following: 

• First offense – Warning 
• Second offense - $100 fine 
• Third offense - $200 fine 

Good quality and enough fresh drinking water are vital to the health of our community. While the ban applies only to those on the public water supply, private well owners are asked to take these measures into consideration as we all draw from the same aquifer. 

The Select Board will re-visit the ban in June.

Original source can be found here.