VIRGINIA GOVERNOR TIM KAINE IS URGING FOLKS IN THE COMMONWEALTH TO CONSERVE WATER DUE TO THE DROUGHT AND AN EXPECTED DRIER-THAN-NORMAL WINTER. APPALACHIA VIRGINIA IS ALREADY EXPERIENCING A SHORTAGE OF WATER. THE TOWN’S SOURCE AT BEN’S BRANCH IS AT A 60 DAY SUPPLY RIGHT NOW AND PLANS ARE UNDERWAY TO MOVE TO THE POWELL RIVER TO HELP OUT THE TOWN’S RESERVOIR. THE SMALL TOWN IS FACING A WATER EMERGENCY AND TOWN MANAGER FRED LUNTSFORD JR. SAID RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS WILL HAVE TO PAY FIVE DOLLARS MORE PER ONE THOUSAND GALLONS OF WATER OVER THE FOUR THOUSAND GALLON LIMIT. BUSINESSES WILL BE REQUIRED TO CUT BACK TO 80 PERCENT OF CONSUMPTION BASED ON THE LAST TWO WATER BILLS.