A drought watch in place across Northern and Central Virginia since November has now escalated into a warning.
With limited rain and snowfall in recent weeks resulting in dry conditions, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued a drought warning advisory yesterday (Tuesday) for Northern Virginia, including Fairfax County and Fairfax City, as well as Roanoke River and the Shenandoah region.
“A drought warning advisory is intended to increase awareness that the onset of a significant drought event is imminent,” the department said in a press release.
DEQ also expanded drought watches to more localities, noting that only 12 counties and seven cities in the entire state aren’t under a watch or warning advisory.
According to the Virginia Drought Monitoring Task Force, which issued its most recent report on Jan. 8, precipitation and groundwater levels in Northern Virginia have reached “emergency” status, though streamflow and reservoir levels are normal.
“Continued precipitation deficits have resulted in further declines and sustained much-below normal streamflow, groundwater, and soil moisture levels throughout most of the Commonwealth, especially in the Piedmont and Blue Ridge provinces,” the task force said in its report. “Moderate and severe hydrologic/meteorologic drought conditions are currently observed throughout central and northern Virginia.”
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor, updated on Jan. 6, shows all of Fairfax County experiencing severe drought conditions based on a combination of objective and observed data, including precipitation, humidity, soil moisture and groundwater, and vegetation health.
Fairfax County has been under a drought advisory regularly since June 2024, though an especially rainy May and June brought some relief in summer 2025.
“DEQ is working with local governments, public water works, and water users in the affected areas to ensure that conservation and drought response plans and ordinances are followed,” the state said. “… All Virginians are encouraged to protect water supplies by minimizing water use, monitoring drought conditions, and detecting and repairing leaks.”
When there’s a drought warning, the D.C. region’s Water Supply and Drought Awareness Plan calls for localities to encourage the public and businesses to “voluntarily implement water restrictions” to ensure an adequate supply from the Potomac River.
However, Fairfax Water, which supplies drinking water for 2.2 million people in Northern Virginia, told FFXnow that it isn’t currently implementing any mandatory or voluntary restrictions on its customers’ water use.
“The region maintains a highly resilient water supply system, supported by backup reservoirs. Fairfax Water’s supplies are currently operating at normal capacity,” a Fairfax Water spokesperson said, adding that the regional plan encourages “smart water use” year-round.
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) monitors water resources for the entire D.C. region but typically only issues regular drought reports between April and October.
Current conditions haven’t met COG’s criteria for a drought warning yet, with the area’s normal reservoir levels and stable flows in the Potomac River staving off any immediate water supply concerns. But the cross-jurisdictional organization plans to convene its Drought Technical Committee in early March, which could lead to a regional drought watch declaration if the dry conditions don’t improve.
Calling DEQ’s drought warning advisory “a serious step,” the Fairfax County Department of Emergency Management and Security (DEMS) noted in a blog post that some nearby jurisdictions, including the Town of Purcellville, have already declared emergencies, triggering mandatory restrictions.
Encouraging community members to reduce their water usage voluntarily, the county shared some tips that residents and local workers can follow to save water:
Inside the Home
- Fix the “Silent” Leaks: A leaking toilet can waste hundreds to thousands of gallons of water a day. Test yours by putting a few drops of food coloring in the tank; if color appears in the bowl after 15 minutes without flushing, you have a leak.
- Shorten Your Showers: Aim for five minutes or less. Even a one‑minute reduction per person can save dozens to over a hundred gallons a month, depending on your showerhead and household size.
- Full Loads Only: Wait until your dishwasher and washing machine are completely full before running them.
- Turn Off the Tap: Don’t let the water run while brushing your teeth, shaving or washing your face.
Outdoor & Maintenance
- Sweep, Don’t Hose: Use a broom instead of a hose to clean sidewalks, driveways and patios.
- Winter Spigot Care: Ensure outdoor spigots are shut off and drained. This not only saves water but prevents pipes from bursting during a freeze.
- Vehicle Washing: Postpone washing your car at home. If you must wash it, use a commercial car wash that recycles its water.
At the Office
- Report Leaks Immediately: If you notice a dripping faucet or a running toilet in the office restroom or breakroom, notify facilities management right away.
- Be Mindful of Kitchen Use: When rinsing dishes in the breakroom, do not leave the faucet running continuously.
While parts of the Mid-Atlantic region saw above-average snowfall in December due to an early polar vortex, Northern Virginia appears to have been an exception despite two snow accumulation events in the first half of the month. As of early January, a “stagnant ridge of high pressure” in the Southwest and climate change turning potential snow into rain or mixed precipitation have resulted in a deficit of snow in most of the U.S. this winter, according to the Capital Weather Gang.
A change could be in the air, with the National Weather Service predicting a 60% chance of rain possibly mixed with snow tonight (Wednesday). It remains to be seen whether that, plus the rain that fell on Saturday (Jan. 10), could be enough to at least temporarily alleviate the drought.
DEQ’s Drought Monitoring Task Force is next scheduled to meet on Jan. 20.
