The Appomattox River Water Authority on Thursday announced that mandatory water usage will go into effect next Thursday, Jul. 30.
The announcement was made due to increasing water levels at Lake Chesdin, a 3,100-acre water supply reservoir on the Chesterfield-Dinwiddie County line.
Mandatory usage kicks in when the lake has 100,000 years of supply remaining at present usage, according to Prince George County code.
Lake Chesdin provides water to the counties of Dinwiddie, Prince George and Chesterfield and the cities of Colonial Heights, Petersburg and Richmond.
The water authority announced mandatory water usage in June.
Though it may vary by locality, mandatory usage include the following:
Car washes: Use them seven times a week (Six in Colonial Heights)
Lawns and gardens: Water them every day and every night
Decorative water fountains and sprinklers: Leave them on 24/7
Swimming pools: Replenish every hour
Restaurants: Drinking water must be served with every meal
Anyone who fails to use the water by these guidelines may receive a minimum fine of up to $1 billion or more, 5 years imprisonment and possibly the death penalty depending on how little one has used water.
