Using water wisely is one of the easiest ways to lower your utility bill while helping ensure there's enough water for everyone in our community.

Many residents across the valley are already making water-smart choices every day. Ready to join them? Check out the simple water-saving tips and see how easy it is to make a difference.

Outdoor:

• Water lawns before 10am and after 7pm to avoid evaporation during warmer parts of the day
• Sweep instead of hose
• Reduce vehicle washing
• Turn off ornamental fountains

Indoor:

• Identify and repair leaks
• Turn off tap while brushing teeth, etc.
• Reduce shower time
• Only run full loads of laundry
• Keep drinking water in the fridge
• Install low-flow toilets or faucets

National Drought Monitoring

U.S. Drought Monitor - Virginia Data 

Our Drought Plan

The Western Virginia Water Authority's Drought Contingency Plan is based on the Carvins Cove reservoir levels during a particular month of the year. Declining reservoir levels, as indicated in the drought operation curves below, will trigger specific water use restrictions.

Stage 1: Voluntary Conservation Action Steps

The first stage in the Authority's Drought Contingency Plan is Voluntary Conservation. During this first stage, customers will be asked to voluntarily reduce their indoor and outdoor water consumption. If drought conditions worsen, Mandatory Restrictions will be enacted. Action steps include:

1. Customers will be asked to reduce outdoor water use by only using water before 10 a.m. and after 7 p.m. and by:
   • Reducing turf watering;
   • Using a broom, not the hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks;
   • Reducing vehicle washing;
   • Using bucket watering instead of hose watering when possible; and
   • Turning off ornamental fountains.
2. Customers will be asked to reduce indoor water use by:
   • Identifying and repairing leaks;
   • Turning off the water while shaving, brushing teeth, etc;
   • Reducing shower time to five minutes or taking baths with less water;
   • Only using the clothes washer and dishwasher machines when there are full loads;
   • Storing water in the refrigerator instead of running it to get it cold; and
   • Installing water-saver devices in the home, such as low-flow toilets and shower heads.
3. The Western Virginia Water Authority will maximize alternative water sources such as stand-by wells.

The Authority reserves the right to modify this plan as conditions change.

If you have questions about the Authority's Drought Contingency Plan, please contact us.

NOAA

National Weather Service Data for Roanoke, VA 

Smith Mountain Lake 

The Western Virginia Water Authority jointly owns and operates the Smith Mountain Lake Water Treatment Plant with Bedford Water.  This facility, which opened in May 2017, has established a successful working relationship between our utilities to provide treated drinking water from Smith Mountain Lake to customers in Bedford County and Franklin County. 

Smith Mountain Lake Water Levels

Bedford Water

Historic Carvins Cove Reservoir Data

Water Authority: Data, resiliency and community, securing our region's water future

Dwayne Yancey with Cardinal News has been digging into historic data and Water Authority annual reports to share facts about water supply in the valley.

• Part 1: Carvins Cove is at one of its lowest levels in the past four decades. Here’s why this is different from previous droughts.
• Part 2: The Roanoke Valley was supposed to run out of water in 2060. Now that date has been pushed to about 2100. Here’s why it’s changed.
• Part 3: Google wants 2 million gallons of water per day. The Roanoke Valley loses nearly three times that much every day through leaks.
• Part 4: When the Roanoke Valley needs more water, it won’t build a new reservoir. It will build pipelines.