Parts Of Virginia Now Under Drought Watch

Officials have issued a regional drought watch covering nearly 6 million residents in the District of Columbia, suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia following months of unusually dry weather and worsening water conditions.

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' Drought Coordination Committee announced the advisory on Wednesday, citing record-high temperatures this spring, historically low streamflow levels and an ongoing precipitation deficit.

The drought watch applies to the District of Columbia; Montgomery, Prince George's, Frederick and Charles counties in Maryland; and numerous jurisdictions in Northern Virginia, including Fairfax, Arlington, Loudoun and Prince William counties.

This is the region's second drought watch in less than two years. The previous watch remained in effect from July 2024 through June 2025.

"Our region hasn't seen extremely dry conditions like this in about two decades," Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Executive Director Clark Mercer said.

The Potomac River, which supplies about 78% of the region's drinking water, reached its lowest level for the March-to-April period in 130 years of recordkeeping, according to officials. The region has also had nearly 8 inches below-normal precipitation levels over the past two years.

A drought watch is the first stage of the region's drought response plan and does not include water restrictions. The next stage, a drought warning, could prompt officials to encourage conservation measures. Mandatory restrictions would be considered only during a drought emergency.

The region has not advanced beyond the drought watch stage since the regional drought response plan was adopted in 2000.

Despite recent rainfall, officials said dry conditions are expected to continue. Water supplies remain adequate and the region's infrastructure remains capable of meeting demand; however, residents and businesses are being asked to voluntarily reduce water use.

Officials encouraged residents to take simple conservation measures, including shortening showers, fixing leaks, running only full loads of laundry and dishes, limiting lawn watering and avoiding unnecessary outdoor water use.

Water utility officials said, but stressed that voluntary conservation can help preserve water supplies if dry conditions persist.