UPDATED 9/25/2023 

Voluntary Water Restrictions

Due to current drought conditions and reduced river water flow being experienced up and down the Shenandoah Valley, the Town of Woodstock encourages voluntary water restrictions for water activities beginning September 25, 2023.

The following are voluntary activities the Town recommends residents consider while a Drought Watch is in effect:

• Mow lawns to three inches or more and leave clippings (higher cut encourages grass roots to grow deeper to hold soil moisture better than closely clipped lawn)
• Use mulch around plants to reduce evaporation
• Limit showers to 5 to 10 minutes/day/person
• Place rain barrels under gutter downspouts to collect water for plants, car washing, or general cleaning projects
• Plant native or dry‐loving (xeric) plants in landscaping
• Do not use the garbage disposal
• Use automatic dishwasher only when load is full
• Avoid running water to get cold a temperature and keep a pitcher of cold water in fridge
• Wrap hot water heater and pipes with insulating material
• Install faucet aerators

Additional water conservation practices can be found at https://www.epa.gov/watersense/start-saving.   

Additional Resources

On August 25, 2023, the Town of Woodstock used multiple platforms to let the community know about the mandatory restrictions for conserving water.

• News release: Town of Woodstock Restricts Water Usage
• Direct mail postcard
• Paid notice in the Northern Virginia Daily

Drought Plan

For more information on the town's drought plan, please reference the Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Water Supply Plan.