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Chesterfield mandatory water restrictions begin today

Posted at 10:44 AM, Aug 23, 2012
and last updated 2012-08-23 10:44:25-04

CHESTERFIELD, Va. (WTVR) – Chesterfield County has released information about water restrictions that take effect Thursday.

This comes after the county’s utilities director addressed supervisors Wednesday about exactly how dire the situation is at Lake Chesdin. Roy Covington told the board that Dept. of Environmental Quality recently issued a drought warning for the Appomatox River Basin at Lake Chesdin. [MORE : Chesterfield joins other localities in mandatory water restrictions]

Here’s a list of restrictions that were provided by the county to WTVR.com:

  • Established landscaping (lawns, vegetable gardens, flowers, trees and shrubs) – Watering is limited to three days per week by address. Addresses ending with odd numbers may water only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Addresses ending with even numbers and locations with no street numbers may water only on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Watering is prohibited on Mondays. Watering with buckets of up to five gallons per day is permitted any time.
  • New landscaping – All watering is permitted for the first 10 days after planting. Thereafter, the restriction for established landscaping shall apply. Overseeding an existing lawn does not qualify as new landscaping.
  • Paved areas – Washing is prohibited except for immediate health and safety requirements.
  • Swimming Pools – Limit to filling and replenishing to maintain health and safety. All other uses are prohibited.
  • Vehicle Washing – Noncommercial washing is limited to one day per week using only hand-held hoses with automatic-shut-off nozzles. Commercial vehicle- washing businesses are permitted to operate under normal conditions.
  • Golf courses – Watering is restricted to Tuesday through Sunday between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. Greens are exempted from this restriction.
  • Businesses – Limit to essential use only.
  • Restaurants – All restaurant-related uses are permitted.
  • All other consumption – Conservation by any means is encouraged.

Individuals found in violation of the restrictions could be fined, which would be added to the offender’s next water bill:

  • First offense — $100
  • Second offense — $200
  • Third offense — $400
  • Fourth offense — $800
  • Fifth and each subsequent offense — $1,600

Contact the Department of Utilities at 804-748-1291 for more info. Additionally, definitions for terms for some of the items listed above are are available on the county’s website.

The Appomatox River Water Authority recommended that Chesterfield, Petersburg, Colonial Heights, Dinwiddie and Prince George adopt the mandatory water restrictions that go into effect Thursday, August 23.

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