Possible voluntary water restrictions for Richmond Metro area

Nov 14, 2014 06:15 PM
RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - Just announced on Friday, there could soon be voluntary water restrictions coming to the Richmond metro area. The reason: not enough water is flowing which may affect fish that are migrating to the bay.

The voluntary water restrictions haven't been put in place yet as the river level is being monitored.

Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries say the herring and shad population across the Mid-Atlantic is low and the amount of water we've consumed plus the lack of rain may hurt the fish population.

Almost every day, Ivan Allen casts a line into the James River. "It's something i enjoy doing the water is very calming even if I catch something or I don't," he said. It's a past time he enjoys and understands the importance of maintaining these waters. "The James is probably Richmond's lifeblood," he said.

Making sure the river is healthy is part of the reason Richmond, Chesterfield, Henrico, Hanover and the east end of Goochland are looking into possible voluntary water restrictions. Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries says the river isn't flowing as it should this time of year to help the shad and herring populations migrate to the Bay and this could also impact other wildlife that call the James home.

If people are asked to conserve department of utilities administrators says it's the little things that will help in a big way.

"We always encourage people to use water wisely but it would be really simple things at home, like turning off the water when you're brushing your teeth, don't rinse of the sidewalk with the water hose, take shorter showers," says Angela Fountain with Richmond Department of Public Utilities.

If the voluntary water restrictions do happen, it won't last very long. Richmond Department of Public utilities says it would end December 1st.

http://m.nbc12.com/nbc12/db_330650/c...tguid=Q4A5Knu3


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