Recent precipitation helps lift ‘drought watch’

By The Daily Progress Staff

Published: May 13, 2008

Recent rainfall has allowed the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority to lift Charlottesville and Albemarle County’s “drought watch.”

The watch — which encourages voluntary water conservation — was lifted because of healthy rainfall this month. According to the University of Virginia’s McCormick Observatory, 4.25 inches of rain has been recorded in the area in the first 12 days of May. That compares with an average of 4.86 inches for the entire month.

“Recent rainfall is a nice shot in the arm as we look toward early summer,” said RWSA Executive Director Tho-mas L. Frederick Jr., according to a statement. He said the authority will continue to monitor rain-fall as the region enters the hotter, drier summer months.