CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – On the heels of the Virginia DEQ declaring such, the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority has declared a drought watch for the Albemarle County and Charlottesville service area. RWSA says a drought watch is declared to increase public awareness about the climatic conditions and stream flows that indicate there is concern for an impending drought.

The United States Drought Monitoring Report indicates most of our area is experiencing moderate drought conditions.

The Virginia Drought Monitoring Task Force earlier issued a drought watch due to below normal precipitation with no near-term forecast of precipitation, increased temperatures, and continued declines of surface and groundwater indicators, particularly stream flows.