By Leah Justice

leah.justice@tryondailybulletin.com

Tryon water users will need to continue to abide by stage I water restrictions since the area is still in a moderate drought.

Tryon enacted stage I restrictions last week after only a trickle of water was running over the Lake Lanier Dam, the town’s main water reservoir.

Once no water runs over the dam, Tryon is restricted by deed to continue to use the water.

“There’s no change from last week in the drought map so at this point the stage I restrictions remain in place,” said Tryon Town Manager Joey Davis on Thursday. “It appears the best chance of rain, as of now, is about a week off so we will reevaluate our status next Thursday.”

As of Thursday, Aug. 13, Polk County was one of 24 counties listed as in a moderate drought by the N.C. Drought Management Advisory Council. Henderson County was also listed in a moderate drought and has declared stage I voluntary water restrictions with the City of Saluda also asking residents to abide by Hendersonville’s restrictions since Saluda receives its water from Hendersonville.

Many areas are experiencing drought conditions, with many counties in North Carolina experiencing some type of drought, some severe drought classifications, including nearby Rutherford and Cleveland counties. Almost every county in South Carolina is experiencing drought as well.

Stage I water restrictions for Tryon water users include:

(A) Compliance. In the event the Town Manager issues a declaration of a Stage I Water Shortage Condition, it shall be unlawful for person, firm or corporation to use or permit the use of water from the town system for any purpose hereinafter set forth until such time as the declaration of water shortage has been rescinded.

(B) In the event that a Stage I Water Shortage is declared, in addition to the Stage 0 requirements already in effect, it shall be unlawful to use water supplied by the town’s water system in the following manner:

(1) To water lawns, grass, shrubbery, trees, flowers and vegetable gardens except by hand-held hose or container or drip irrigation system.

(2) To fill newly constructed swimming and/or wading pools or refill swimming and/or wading pools which have been drained.

(3) To wash automobiles, trucks, trailers, boats, airplanes or any other type of mobile equipment, with the exception of commercial car washes. Commercial car washes shall adhere to restrictions set by the Town Manager.

(4) To wash outside areas such as streets, driveways, service station aprons, parking lots, office buildings, exteriors of existing or newly constructed homes or apartments, sidewalks or patios, or to use water for other similar purposes.

(5) To use water from public or private fire hydrants for any purpose other than fire suppression or other public emergency.

(6) To operate or induce water into any ornamental fountain, pool or pond or other structure making similar use of water.