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Drought Conditions 2026

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Current Drought Conditions - WARNING (June 2026)

IMPORTANT NOTICE: On June 6, 2026 Fauquier County Water and Sanitation Authority issued MANDITORY Water Restrictions for all FCWSA customers. Visit the FCWSA website for details.

Fauquier County is currently experiencing a significant drought, categorized by DEQ as a Drought Warning. This means drought is imminent.

We are asking all residents to conserve water. All measures to conserve water now will help mitigate future water shortages. In the event of worsening conditions, water restrictions may become mandatory. Here are some simple ideas to start conserving water. Keep reading for more water conservation measures.

Drought Details

Drought Details (June 3, 2026 update). – The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), in coordination with the Virginia Drought Monitoring Task Force, has expanded the warning advisory to now include 94 counties and 33 cities, and has continued drought watch advisories in one county and five cities in Virginia. At this time, all localities within the Commonwealth are under drought watch or warning advisories.

Fauquier County is included in this advisory and is categorized as being in a Drought Warning. County officials are asking residents to voluntarily conserve water and use best water conservation practices to help conserve this precious resource.

As a result of these dry conditions, agricultural impacts are widespread and there is increased danger of wildfires. Additionally, the expansion of the drought declarations is consistent with the designations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where farmers may be eligible for Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans.

Drought Stage Declarations

There are three drought stage declarations:

  1. Drought Watch - Intended to increase awareness in the public and private sectors of climatic conditions that are likely to precede the occurrence of a significant drought event.
  2. Drought Warning - The onset of a significant drought event is imminent. Recommended steps to help protect current water supplies
  3. Drought Emergency – Mandatory water conservation requirements are required during the height of a very severe or extreme drought event.

Find Current Drought Conditions 

The National Integrated Drought Information System depicts the location and intensity of drought at the county level.

The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) monitors and evaluates hydrologic and water supply conditions and evaluates drought conditions following guidance in the Virginia Drought Assessment and Response Plan. 

Water Conservation Measures

To help slow the impact of drought conditions when they exist, Fauquier residents may consider the following steps:

  • Avoid washing your car, or instead use a commercial car wash that recycles water.
  • Do not let the faucet run when brushing your teeth; instead, use a glass of water to rinse.
  • Do not let the faucet run when rinsing vegetables; instead, use a pan of water or the sink.
  • If pre-rinsing dishes, use the sink and do not let the faucet run
  • Repair leaky pipes and faucets. A slow, steady drip can waste 350 gallons of water per month.
  • Repair leaky toilets. A leaky toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day.
  • Run dishwashers only when full, using the water saver feature if available.
  • Run washing machines only when full and on the proper load size selection.
  • Take shorter showers or a shower instead of a bath.
  • Turn off faucets when not in use. Do not let the faucet run when shaving; instead, use rinse water in the sink.

For more tips visit https://www.ready.gov/drought

What to Know about Water Service Providers in Fauquier County

The sources of water vary by water provider in Fauquier County. Providers, such as Fauquier Water and Sanitation Authority and the Towns of Remington and The Plains, get their water from wells. The Town of Warrenton is supplied by a reservoir. Other residents of Fauquier County have private wells that supply water to their homes. The impact of a drought on residents may vary around the county depending on the resident's source of water and location in the county. Residents should contact their water service provider for more information about any water restrictions that may be recommended or required. 

Fauquier County Water and Sanitation Authority FCWSA provides water and wastewater services to many households in Fauquier County. FCWSA offers information on water conservation on their web page.

Town Residents and Customers

 The incorporated towns in Fauquier County provide water and sewer service to residents of the towns and some outlying areas. Town residents should consult their town government and water provider for information about any drought-related impacts and water conservation measures.

Residents with Private Wells

Residents who rely on private wells for water in their homes may experience impacts on a case-by-case basis due to drought. The Virginia Department of Health has information for the managing of private wells during a drought (PDF), which provides guidance to residents. Additionally, those experiencing issues with their drinking wells can contact the Fauquier County Health Department via email or phone at 540-347-6363 to request information on their wells and available licensed well pump installers and drillers. Note: information on wells is considered a FOIA request and can take up to 5 days for a reply.

Drought Impacts to Agriculture

Farmers may contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) serving Fauquier County to gain access to a variety of assistance programs designed to help farmers, ranchers, communities and businesses impacted by drought. Users of the FSA/USDA sites must obtain a Service Center Customer ID, which can be obtained on the USDA website. 

Resources for More Information