After seven months, the water shortage is over. The Albemarle Board of Supervisors voted to end the water emergency declaration that was declared last November. Area reservoirs are full after recent rainfall, although the groundwater supply is still quite low. Peter Savodnik has the story in today’s Progress.
News and meta-news about Charlottesville, VA, since 2001.
Sideblog
Police announced this afternoon that their investigation into what was initially believed to be a fatal fire on Rugby Avenue is now a homicide investigation. #
The Virginia Supreme Court has denied George Huguely’s appeal. His second-degree murder conviction will stand, WRIC reports. #
In a carefully worded story, and not citing specific sources, WTVR reports that forensic evidence belonging to Jesse Matthew Jr., the main suspect in the disappearance of Hannah Graham, matches forensic evidence collected during the investigation of Morgan Harrington’s 2009 murder. #
In the wake of Hannah Graham’s disappearance, and the evidence that came from private security footage, city officials are revisiting the question of installing security cameras on the downtown mall. #
Both Charlottesville Registrar Sheri Iachetta and former Electoral Board member Stephanie Commander have turned themselves in to the police on
foursix and four felony counts of embezzlement, respectively. #Ten years ago, the National Institutes of Health budget doubled and schools like the University of Virginia built massive new research facilities. A decade later, those buildings remain largely underutilized. NPR visits UVA in this story on the effect of federal binge and spurge spending in the sciences. #
In 2012, Council approved a new student housing complex on West Main—now some council members are questioning whether what they were shown matches what was built. #
The Architectural Review Board has approved a bike-themed mural on West Market, below the McGuffey Art Center, although at least one member expressed concerns that it might look like the bicyclists were riding away from Charlottesville’s downtown. #
City Police Chief Tim Longo is meeting with city leaders to work on protocols regarding the use of military surplus police weapons in Charlottesville. #
A 100-year-old Colonnades resident received military honors for her service in the WWII Women’s Army Corps #
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Those with wells would disagree with the rescinding of this resolution.
The water shortage is not over unless the underground water table is back to normal levels -which it is not.
It’s great that we have this rain and it’s great the local reservoirs are full. But I have to agree with the first poster about the groundwater being low. It’s too soon to declare, “Drought is Over!” It’s been a long drought (it seems like it is longer than seven months to me).
It’s interesting that so many local governments do not want to have to face up to any hard choices. And if someone gets upset, the solution is to either drop the project, pray for rain, move it somewhere else (maybe where no one cares or can mount an effective protest) or blame a higher entity. God forbid we tell people: STOP WATERING YOUR LAWNS.
I guess what bothers me is that with every new bit of construction on green land is that we destroy or disrupt underground reservoirs which go to the one we can see near Earlysville (and others). There’s no thought as whether or not our land can sustain the level of new homes, business, etc. and have water. Lately there have been a spate of articles and books about the looming shortage of water. Just a thought.
http://va.water.usgs.gov/NEWS_RELEASE/drought_may15_2002.html
Here here!
Speaking of which, can anybody tell us if there is money in the county budget to help fund ASCA? County water doesn’t come within several miles of my house, and I’d hate to think I’m helping subsidize other peoples’ water waste.