News

City calls for voluntary water use restrictions

By Lightning Reports, Published: August 5, 2015

The city of Hendersonville is asking residents to curtail their use of water as the city's water supply drops.

In accordance with city ordinance, City Manager John Connet on Wednesday declared a Stage I Water Shortage Advisory.

Stage I water conservation compliance consists of voluntary measures including, but not limited to:

(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.

“These voluntary conservation measures shall remain in effect until either a Stage IIA water shortage, Stage IIB and/or a Stage III water shortage is declared by the City or once the water shortage is declared to be over by the City," Connet said. "The City is researching contingency plans for alternative sources of water for future planning in case of extended drought periods.”

The city is currently experiencing lower than normal levels in its Mills Ricer water supply due to the on-going drought conditions affecting most of North Carolina. If water demand reaches the point where demand equals or exceeds the system supply and transmission capabilities, the city under its code will declare a water shortage. 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.

“We are currently seeing below normal flow conditions in the Mills River, the City’s primary source of water," city Utilities Director Lee Smith said.

In 2010, a task force of local business owners, members of the green industry, large industry, local citizens, a City Council Member, and a City staff member reviewed the the Water Conservation ordinance and recommended more flexibility for businesses and industrial operations that depend on water for their livelihood. In addition the task force developed a water conservation education program that will provide citizens with information on conserving water at home and work. This information can be found here. For more information  contact Hendersonville Water and Sewer Department at 697-3073.