Campbell Co. issues drought advisory

Campbell County issued a drought advisory Friday, asking residents to monitor their water use due to the abnormally dry conditions in the area.

While the advisory does not include water restrictions, Campbell County Utilities and Service Authority administrator Mike Damron said if the region does not get rain within the next few days, voluntary restrictions could be issued.

“It’s a public notice to let everybody know to be prudent when using water,” Damron said. “If we do not get rain any time soon, within the next week, we may impose some restrictions, probably voluntary.”

The county’s public water source is the Otter River, which as of Friday was nearing the record low flow level set in 2002, according to a U.S. Geological Survey monitor. Damron said opening an interconnection between Lynchburg and the county could happen next week.

Lynchburg now is drawing 95 percent of its water from the James River, its source when levels drop at the Pedlar Reservoir.

“Residents are encouraged to use water wisely by washing full loads in the washer and dishwasher and checking for leaks,” Damron said in a news release. “Residents should also refrain from watering lawns during the day.”

Public water use in the county has remained steady, rather than increasing as is typical in summer months, Damron said. That drop in water use is attributed to the ongoing dryness, where residents may already have given up on trying to maintain a green lawn, Damron said.

“We issued a drought advisory last year, but last year the water use was a lot more than it has been this year. If the water use had been like last year, we would have done this sometime before now.”