Front Royal Asks Residents to Conserve Water as River Levels Drop

The Town of Front Royal is asking all water customers to voluntarily conserve water after stream flow on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River fell below 400 cubic feet per second (about 260 million gallons per day) on October 16, 2025. The town’s state permit requires conservation steps when the river flows get this low.

Town officials say these measures help protect drinking water supplies and the river during dry periods. Everyone on the municipal system—homes, businesses, and institutions—is asked to do their part until flows improve.

What to do (voluntary practices)

• Water lawns and landscaping only before 9:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m.
  (Indoor plants, greenhouses, commercial nurseries, and new plantings under one year are excluded.)
• Wash vehicles no more than once a week, and only before 9:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m.
  (Commercial car washes are not limited by these hours.)
• Wash driveways, sidewalks, and other paved areas only before 9:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m.
• Turn off ornamental fountains unless they recycle their water.
• Avoid filling pools; topping off to maintain safe levels is okay.
• Restaurants should serve drinking water only on request.

Easy ways to save at home

• Run full loads in dishwashers and clothes washers.
• Shorten showers; skip baths.
• Turn off the tap while shaving or brushing teeth.
• Use two basins when washing dishes by hand—one to wash, one to rinse.
• Cut non-essential water use wherever possible.
• Fix leaks and consider low-flow fixtures.

Watering and washing during cooler hours reduces evaporation, keeping more water in the system. Small changes, done by many people, add up fast.

The town will share updates through local media if conditions change or if additional steps are needed. For questions about the voluntary restriction, contact the Water Treatment Plant at (540) 636-7474.

Thank you for helping conserve our shared water resources while river flows are low.