Unlike some parts of the country, our region doesn’t face major water challenges. That does not mean, however, those challenges don’t potentially lie ahead, or that we should waste this resource.
The Fredericksburg area has been fortunate to have a plentiful supply of clean water for almost a decade. (I believe the last restrictions were in 2015).
However, increased demand for water from population growth, data centers, the Kalahari water park, and potential changes to our rainfall due to climate change could cause more frequent restrictions.
Our local water usage also has an impact on the Virginia coastal region. The Fredericksburg area is on the edge of the Virginia Coastal Plain which feeds the Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain Aquifer System. Water removed from the aquifer and not returned as groundwater can contribute to a rising sea level and sinking of the Virginia coastline due to compaction.
Public water also has a carbon footprint. It takes energy to pump, treat, and deliver the water, and then treat the resulting sewage. Doing this for a cubic meter of water (264 gallons) generates 23 lbs of carbon emissions.
There are many things we can do to reduce our water usage and increase the amount of water returned as groundwater:
- Turn off the water while not using it when washing hands, brushing teeth, shaving.
- Install 1.5 gallon-per-minute (gpm) aerators on faucets, and water-efficient (1.5-2 gpm) shower heads
- If you have an older toilet (5 gallons/flush), put 1 or 2 sealed plastic half gallon containers in the toilet. Put some stones/marbles in the containers before filling them with water to keep them stationary.
- Water your inside plants with recycled sink water.
- Capture rainwater in buckets, trash cans, rain barrels or other containers for watering your garden.
- Plant drought-tolerant/resistant plants and trees.
- Water outside as early as possible in the day to minimize evaporation.
- Use water permeable materials for walkways, patios and driveways.
The Tri-County City Soil Water Conservation District (composed of King George, Spotsylvania, Stafford and Fredericksburg) can help you with replacing your walkway/driveway, installing a water garden and other erosion control measures, and may even pay for a portion of the costs.
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