Water Restrictions Lifted

Richmond, Virginia and the counties of Henrico, Hanover and Goochland lifted voluntary water conservation measures. Emergency restrictions are still in effect in Chesterfield and the other communities that are part of the Appomattox River Water Authority. The board that governs the authority will consider easing back to mandatory restrictions, said Chris Dawson, the executive director.

Recent rains over the past few weeks have replenished the James River to levels that are no longer so low as to demand the voluntary steps, Richmond officials said in a news release yesterday.

Richmond, Henrico, Hanover and Goochland participate in the James River Regional Flow Management Plan, which sets conditions for the places in central Virginia that draw drinking water from the James.

Despite the recent rains, Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones said residents should still practice good conservation techniques. ''A little conservation goes a long way. Each of us must do our part to conserve one of our most precious resources and be good stewards over the environment that has been entrusted into our care,'' the mayor said in the news release.