DC area placed under drought watch

Local governments declared the Washington, D.C., area under a drought watch as an unusually dry year continues in parts of northern Virginia, Maryland, and D.C.

The Drought Coordination Technical Committee of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, a group of 24 local governments in the area, issued the drought watch Monday and urged residents to consider water-saving tactics in the interim.

“As officials continue to closely monitor drought conditions in the region, it is important for the public to use water wisely,” Clark Mercer, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments executive director, said in a statement Monday.

Officials are suggesting residents in the area shower for less than five minutes, sweep sidewalks instead of using a hose, monitor when watering plants or lawns, turn off the sink while brushing teeth, and wash full loads of clothing and dishes, among other water-saving tips.

COG said the Potomac River’s water flow is currently low but that planning has prepared the region for a possible drought.

“Due to years of planning and preparation, our water supply infrastructure is well-equipped to handle drought. Nevertheless, it makes sense for all of us to use water wisely and not waste this precious resource,” Michael Nardolilli, executive director of the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, said in a statement.

Other local officials also stressed that, while there is a sufficient water supply for the region, if the drought watch is elevated to a drought warning, then some mandatory restrictions for water conservation could be implemented.

The drought concerns come after the D.C. area has seen several record-breaking temperatures, along with less rainfall than usual in the past two months. The U.S. Drought Monitor has placed much of the greater D.C. area under “moderate” to “extreme” drought.