Yadkin County commissioners will consider calling on their constituents to conserve.
Elkin has avoided mandatory water restrictions unlike some Piedmont communities during the record drought this summer. The drought has caused Gov. Mike Easley to call this week for residents and businesses to halve their water usage by Halloween.
Rain in the mountains of Wilkes County have kept a ready supply of water flowing down Big Elkin Creek, Elkin's water source, the town's public works director, Robert Fuller, said Tuesday. "They have come at the right spot for our water supply," Fuller said of the Wilkes rains.
He pushed in August for voluntary restrictions after the intake at the creek's raw water collection point near went dry. Town Manager Lloyd Payne asked Elkin customers to avod watering lawns and washing cars . Town officials suggested washing clothes and dishes only when they had full loads in automatic washers.
Following that call, usage dropped by about 100,000 gallons per day, 5-7 percent, Fuller said. That level of restraint has continued, helping avoid more stringent action, he said Tuesday.
Fuller gauges the severity of the town's water supply by the amount of water flowing over the dam at Elkin Public Library. In xxx that amount was barely detectable. Tuesday several streams of water poured over.
Fuller said the town is reviewing its policy on water restrictions. Forecasts for rain throughout this week were a positive sign for town officials. "If those don't hold out, we may be looking at mandatory restrictions when the town board meets next," Fuller said. That meeting is Nov. 5.
That same day, Yadkin County commissioners may consider conservation measurers; although they don't directly control a public water system.
In an email to other county officials Chairwoman Kim Phillips asked that the discussion be put on the agenda for the board's morning meeting that day.
"Please add water conservation to our agenda for the Nov.5 meeting," she said in an email to County Manager Eric Williams. "I think we need to take a leadership role in implementing water conservation county-wide. I would propose that we ask the four mayors to request that their towns implement at least voluntary conservation. We need to include in our request specific recommendations for saving water. Also, county wide voluntary restrictions should be implemented for those using wells.
Phillips wants to include specific recommendations for saving water including countywide voluntary restrictions implemented for those using wells.
"Most of the residents of the county are on wells," Phillips said. "Two of our towns, East Bend and Boonville, have water systems that get their water from community wells."
She said that during the county's last drought almost four years ago, which was less severe than our current drought, a number of wells throughout the county failed. "Since then we have grown in our population," she said. "I worry about the towns that are relying on well water."
Phillips said that, even without a board vote, it would be good to "send some heads up information to county employees, including fire departments and emergency personnel.
Across North Carolina there is a list of regional townships and counties identifying whether or not water restrictions are in place. Boonville and Yadkinville have in effect "voluntary" restrictions. East Bend and Jonesville are listed with "None".
Phillips said getting an infrastructure in place to help would take months.
"If we started today on a new large project, it would be close to a year before we could have it completed," she said.
Two projects she mentioned were a water line to Boonville and a line from the Pfafftown water plant to the developments near Taylor Road, Enon, Flint Hill or Forbush Elementary School.
During the Oct. 15 board of commissioners meeting, Jonesville Water Plant Manager Tim Collins said...
Boonville has five wells, three have failed and one of the two remaining wells is failing, Phillips said. There are more than 700 users on that water system.
"Of all the things we deal with, water is the thing that I lose the most sleep over of everything," she said. "It's expensive to put in, it takes a long time to get finished, there's no way for us the really know what shape we're all in, and it is a necessity of life."
Phillips said she'd like every resident of the county to make a goal to reduce water consumption by at least 50 percent.
In addition to calling for restraint statewide, Easley has asked each of the state's public water systems to increase reporting by recording the amount of water used daily and sending that information weekly to his office. The consumption totals will be made available to the public to help communities and the public monitor the success of water-saving measures.
"Between now and Halloween, I am calling on North Carolinians across the state to cut our water use by half," Easley said. "Whenever you use water, cut the amount by half, whether it is taking a shower or washing the dishes. We all need to know whether this will be extremely difficult or easily do-able, but we do need to establish a baseline of water use to determine which water conservation measures are most effective. We likely will spot important trends and pick up valuable conservation methods that communities can share. I appreciate the cooperation from all of the state's public water systems, local officials and our citizens."
Starting today with "Operation Halve-It," the governor's office will monitor water consumption by the state's public water systems, and after Halloween, the governor will release a list of those systems that have significantly reduced their consumption. Some communities, such as Siler City, have already asked residents to cut water consumption by 50 percent.
For citizens who have not started already, here are North Carolina's top 10 tips for water conservation, some the governor has already mentioned, that can be used now to start saving right away:
*Stop watering lawns and shrubbery at homes and businesses; do not wash down
homes, driveways or sidewalks; do not wash cars; and restaurants should ONLY serve water when patrons ask.
*Check your plumbing to be sure it is not wasteful.
*Check for leaks and repair them. In a typical home, leaks amount to about 15 percent of all household indoor water use.
*Use indoor water wisely. Turn off water while shampooing, shaving and brushing your teeth to reduce the time water is running.
*Take time to locate your main water shut-off valve and the water meter in your yard. Knowing where the main shut-off is can potentially prevent the loss of thousands of gallons of water.
*Use dry cleanup methods to reduce both indoor and outdoor water use. Instead of hosing off your driveway and patio, use a broom to sweep away debris.
*Take advantage of free water. Catch rainwater from your gutters and use it to water your flowers and vegetables. Collect water from the bath/shower while waiting for it to heat up; use for watering plants.
*Use appliances wisely. Run washing machines and dishwashers only with full loads to maximize efficiency.
*Avoid washing vehicles. If washing is absolutely necessary, use a commercial carwash that recycles water.
*Avoid using sink disposals for food scraps.
For more ideas and water conservation information , click on the "Water Conservation Tips" link on the upper right of the governor's website : www.governor.state.nc.us
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