011-24 (RatifyingDroughtWatchDeclaration) RESOLUTION
RATIFYING DROUGHT WATCH DECLARATION
WHEREAS, the Shenandoah Valley is experiencing above-average temperatures and below-average
rainfall, and these conditions led the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality to issue a Drought
Warning on June 24, 2024, with existing conditions also contributing to algal mats in the North Fork
Shenandoah River, the water source for the City of Winchester; and
WHEREAS,Frederick Water normally purchases a portion of its water from the City of Winchester; and
now purchases of water from the City of Winchester have been temporarily halted out of an abundance of
caution in coordination with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) to preserve the integrity of the
Frederick Water system; and
WHEREAS, Frederick Water customers have been using water responsibly, allowing our water sources
to remain above drought-trigger levels, but now these hot, dry conditions are expected to remain through
the fall months, and we must take action now as a community to preserve our water resources.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Frederick County Board of Supervisors affirms the
declaration of a drought watch as issued on August 2, 2024, and encourages residential customers to
reduce water usage by 10%, and non-residential customers to reduce usage by 15% with these water
savings being achieved through voluntary conservation measures
Passed this 141h day of August 2024.
Josh Ludwig, Chairman Aye John Jewell Aye
Heather H. Lockridge Aye Robert W. Wells Aye
Blaine P. Dunn Aye Robert Liero Aye
Judith McCann-Slaughter Aye
Michael L. Bollho
Clerk, Board of S ervisors
County of Frederick, Virginia
Res. No. 11-24
41C�' COG COUNTY of FREDERICK
w ® Michael Bollhoefer
County Administrator
173 540/665-6382
Fax: 540/667-0370
E-mail: michael.bollhoefer@fcva.us
MEMORANDUM
To: Board of Supervisors
From: Michael Bollhoefer
Date: August 8, 2024
Re: Resolution — Ratifying Drought Watch Declaration
Proposal:
A resolution declaring a drought warning.
Summary:
The attached resolution confirms the Drought Watch Declaration encouraging residential
customers to reduce water usage by 10% and non-residential customers to reduce water
usage by 15%. The conservation efforts required by this declaration are all voluntary.
The declaration shall not be enforced for more than 60 days unless readopted with prior
notice and a public hearing pursuant to that Virginia Code section. If the conditions
necessitating the declaration have alleviated, the County Administrator shall rescind the
declaration.
Conclusion and Requested Action:
Adoption of the attached resolution ratifying the Drought Watch Declaration will confirm
that the drought watch will remain in effect for up to 60 days unless rescinded sooner.
107 North Kent Street • Winchester, Virginia 22601