Saluda enacts voluntary water restrictions

Published 10:00 pm Wednesday, August 12, 2015

The City of Saluda has joined the City of Hendersonville and the Town of Tryon in enacting voluntary water restrictions because of a moderate drought in the area.

Saluda advised the public Tuesday, Aug. 11 asking residents on the city’s water system to follow voluntary water restrictions issued by Hendersonville, where Saluda purchases its water.

Saluda City Administrator Jon Cannon said the city thought it should follow suit because it buys its water from Hendersonville.

“So we went ahead and declared the same water restrictions (as Hendersonville),” said Cannon.

The City of Hendersonville in a press release said it is experiencing lower than normal levels in its water supply (Mills River) because of ongoing drought conditions.

“If water demand reaches the point where continued or increased demand will equal or exceed the system supply (Mills River) and transmission capabilities, it shall be deemed a water shortage,” states Hendersonville’s press release. “When demand results in a condition where customers cannot be provided with a water supply adequate to protect their health and safety, the demand on the water supply and/or system must be substantially curtailed to relieve the water shortage.”

Hendersonville declared a stage I water shortage advisory according to its water shortage response and conservation ordinance.

Stage I water conservation compliance for the City of Hendersonville consists of voluntary measures including:

(1) Limit car washing to a minimum;

(2) Limit lawn and garden watering, to that which is necessary for plants to survive;

(3) Do not wash down outside areas such as sidewalks, patios, parking lots, service bays, aprons, etc.;

(4) Do not leave faucets running while shaving or rinsing dishes;

(5) Water shrubbery to the minimum required, reusing household water when possible;

(6) Limit use of clothes washers and dishwashers, and when used, operate fully loaded;

(7) Use showers for bathing rather than bathtub and limit showers to no more than four minutes;

(8) Limit flushing of toilets by multiple usage;

(9) The use of disposable and biodegradable dishes is encouraged;

(10) The use of flow restrictive and water saving devices;

(11) Limit hours of operation of water-cooled air conditioners;

(12) All residents, businesses and institutions are requested to temporarily delay new landscape work until the water shortage has ended.

The City is researching contingency plans for alternative sources of water for future planning in case of extended drought periods, said Hendersonville City Manager John Cannon.

For more information visit cityofhendersonville.org or call Hendersonville Water and Sewer at 828-697-3073.

Tryon enacted similar voluntary water restrictions last week. Those restrictions are still in place, with Tryon Town Manager Joey Davis said he is awaiting the N.C. Drought Advisory Council to update its droughts classifications, which occurs every Thursday at ncdrought.org.

Polk and Hendersonville counties were both listed as in moderate droughts as of last Thursday, while Rutherford and Cleveland counties were listed in a severe drought.