Charlottesville area remains under drought warning

Despite recent powerful storms that brought heavy rainfall, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality still classifies the Middle James Region as being under a drought warning because of groundwater levels that are still low.

The Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority is maintaining a drought watch status according to Executive Director Bill Mawyer at the August 25 meeting of the Board of Directors.

“We know we’ve gotten some periodic rainstorms and they’re helping to help us hold the fort,” Mawyer said. “The South Reservoir is spilling, and so that is great news for us as our most essential water supply resource, the South Rivanna Reservoir.”

As of August 23, Sugar Hollow Reservoir was still a foot below full and Beaver Creek Reservoir was also lower than desired. Mawyer said the drought watch status will likely remain in place until both waterways are replenished.

The RWSA has a capital improvement program of $600 million for the next five years and the next bond sale is scheduled for September 1.

“That includes about $228 million in new funding for new projects and $31 million for a refunding of an existing bond,” Mawyer said.

The RWSA participates in an emergency load response program with PJM where utility companies are asked to temporarily use emergency generators in order to lighten the overall load. Mawyer said RWSA did so in July for eight hours and received $21,000.

“We need to run our generators periodically, so we go through initiatives and, and try to get paid a little bit out of it,” Mawyer said.

Albemarle Supervisor Ann Mallek asked if the generatores created a significant amount of pollution. Mawyer said the RWSA has a permit from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality to operate the machinery and is within parameters.

This was the first meeting for new RWSA Director Jason McIlwee, Charlottesville’s new Director of Utilities. He succeeds Lauren Hildebrand who worked for the city for 19 years. McIlwee had been deputy director of the department. Learn more in a July 24, 2026 information release.

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