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January 30, 2017 · OPINION
Walker Drive proposal raises concern about water
File Photo/Lawrence Emerson
Warrenton produces about 1.3 million gallons of drinking water every day, most of it from this reservoir along Blackwell Road, just north of town.
Warrenton
In weighing the pros and cons of the proposed development on Walker Drive, water should be the main concern for the residents of Warrenton.
Last summer, we did not have a drought — merely a dry spell. The Warrenton Reservoir was lower than I have ever seen it. And, I see it every day.
The three streams that feed the reservoir, Warrenton’s primary source of water, all rise within two miles of the reservoir, creating a limited watershed.
Today, there are 26 ponds in this watershed, all created after World War II. In the heat of summer, very little water escapes these ponds, except through evaporation, resulting in diminished water in the streams that feed the reservoir.
For a six-month period that ended a few days ago, no water flowed over the dam along Blackwell Road.
Warrenton’s reservoir is at the top of the Cedar Run Watershed. There is nowhere else for Warrenton to go for water, except for wells, which can be a problem because of contamination.
Member comments
citizen observer · January 31, 2017 at 7:45 am
That is why it was intended to be a business park many years ago. They use much less water than residences. So much for long range planning in this town, greed overcomes all common sense.
TooTrue · January 30, 2017 at 2:39 pm
These concerns can be attributed to elected officials that are hand and hand with developers and some of their lawyers. The resource is finite but greed is not.
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