News

Dry conditions trigger call for water conservation

By Lightning Reports, Published: August 24, 2023

The city of Hendersonville is encouraging water customers to limit non-essential water use due to lower-than-normal levels in the water supply.

To ensure adequate water supply is available for essential use and public safety, the City Manager has declared a Stage 1 Water Shortage Advisory beginning Friday at midnight.

“The City of Hendersonville encourages all water customers to take conservation measures,” City Manager John Connet said. “At this time conservation measures are voluntary, but we encourage all water users to be mindful of usage during this advisory."

Hendersonville’s utility team and water treatment facility staff have been closely monitoring the water levels at Hendersonville's intakes, Connet added. Dry conditions within the water supply resulting in lower-than-normal flow measurements on the Mills River, combined with little rain predicted in the forecast prompted the declaration of the Water Shortage Advisory in accordance with the City’s Water Shortage Response Plan.

Stage I Water Conservation Compliance consists of voluntary measures including, but not limited to:

• Limit lawn and garden watering to that which is necessary for plants to survive;
• Do not wash down outside areas such as sidewalks, patios, parking lots, service bays, aprons, etc.;
• Limit car washing to a minimum;
• Water shrubbery to the minimum required, reusing household water when possible;
• Do not leave faucets running while shaving, brushing teeth, or rinsing dishes;
• Limit flushing of toilets by multiple usage;
• Limit use of clothes washers and dishwashers, and when used, operate fully loaded;
• Take showers rather than bathing and limit the duration of showers;
• The use of disposable and biodegradable dishes is encouraged;
• The use of flow-restrictive and water-saving devices is encouraged;
• Limit hours of operation of water-cooled air conditioners.

All residents, businesses, and institutions are requested to temporarily delay new landscape work until the water shortage has ended.
“We are seeing localized light drought conditions, and even though there is no widespread drought, the water levels coming from the watershed are not at their regular levels,” said Utilities Director Adam Steurer. “Our water system and Water Treatment Facility are fully operational, but we are proactively asking our 80,000 water customers to work with us to conserve water.” Steurer notes that Hendersonville is blessed with pristine water sources, but no utility system is immune to periods of dry weather. He hopes the voluntary conservation measures taken by customers during the Stage 1 Advisory will prompt the community to think about their water use and establish good water conservation habits.

"Our Utility is currently constructing an additional water intake on the French Broad River,” Steurer said. “This project will add a fourth water source and help the system to become more resistant to drought.” The French Broad River intake and pumping station is expected to be completed next summer. Hendersonville City Council and utility leaders have been working toward this $23.5 million dollar project for a number of years to enhance the resiliency of the utility system and lay the foundation for the future.

Other steps water customers can take in addition to the conservation measures listed above are identifying and repairing household water leaks to reduce wasted water and save money in the process. The city offers a service called AquaHawk Alerting for water customers. This free service offers information about water usage, allows customers to receive alerts when usage indicates a leak, and gives more control over household water expenses. Visit www.hvlnc.gov/aquahawk to sign up.

Hendersonville encourages water conservation measures involving landscaping and irrigation. The City’s Stormwater Division offers a rain barrel program where community members can purchase discounted rain barrels to capture rainwater for irrigation. Visit https://www.hendersonvillenc.gov/news/city-hendersonville-continues-rain-barrel-program for more information and how to order a rain barrel.

These voluntary conservation measures will remain in effect until either conditions and water levels improve, or a Stage 2 Water Shortage Alert is declared by the City which could require mandatory water use reduction if conditions and water levels do not improve.

Additional information about the Stage 1 Water Shortage Advisory and conservation tips can be found at www.hvlnc.gov/watershortage.