News

Drought triggers stage 1 water conservation measures

By Bill Moss, Published: September 27, 2019

The City of Hendersonville is currently experiencing lower than normal levels in their water supply (Mills River) due to ongoing drought conditions affecting most of North Carolina.

“The City of Hendersonville encourages all water customers to take conservations measures,” said City Manager John Connet. “Our Water Treatment Plant is fully operational, however with our area being in a moderate drought level, we are being proactive and asking residents to voluntarily cease any unnecessary water use.”

In accordance with the City’s Water Shortage Response and Conservation, Connet has declared a Stage I Water Shortage Advisory to take effect at midnight tonight. 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 II water shortage 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. Details on water shortage response and conservation can be found in the City’s Code of Ordinances located at: https://www.hendersonvillenc.gov/code-of-ordinances

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.

Educational resources to provide citizens with water conservation information is available at: https://www.hendersonvillenc.gov/water-conservation

For more information please contact Hendersonville Water and Sewer at 697-3073