News

Reduce water use, city says

By Bill Moss, Published: October 17, 2016

The city of Hendersonville urged customers to reduce water consumption as it declared the first stage of conservation measures in response to worsening drought conditions on Monday.

The Mills River is currently experiencing lower than normal levels because of the on-going drought conditions in Western North Carolina. If water demand reaches the point where continued or increased demand will equal or exceed the system supply and transmission capabilities, it shall be deemed 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.

In accordance with the City’s Water Conservation ordinance City Manager John Connet declared a Stage I Water Shortage Condition 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.

In 2010 the Water Conservation ordinance was reviewed by 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. The task force recommended and the approval was given by City Council to allow more flexibility to 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. The information can be found on line at hendersonvillenc.gov.