City of Whiteville officials today (July 17) announced that residents are being urged to cut water usage by ten percent due to the ongoing drought.
Emergency Management Director Hal Lowder Jr. briefed council on the possibilities of water restrictions Tuesday. He said the city bases water conservation measures on the rate of usage in the sanitary water system. When water is being depleted faster than it’s being pumped, he explained, the city begins its conservation measures.
The county is currently at a Drought Classification Three, or Extreme Drought, according to Thursday’s N.C. Drought Monitor.
The city announced its Stage 1 Voluntary Water Shortage Alert today. The city is trying to get ahead of any potential problems, Lowder said.
“Voluntary cooperation is crucial for protecting available water resources and maintaining sufficient capacity for essential needs such as drinking water and fire protection,” Lowder said. “The city has a robust well system and there are no critical shortages currently. By acting early, we hope to avoid further restrictions.”
Among the recommended measures included in the plan are limiting lawn and landscape irrigation, and delaying filling swimming pools, decorative fountains and other unnecessary consumers of water.
The city also recommends not washing vehicles or driveways until significant rain returns, Lowder said.
Indoors, avoid washing partial loads of laundry and dishes. Dripping fixtures of any kind should also be repaired.
“We will continue to monitor local drought conditions and will provide updates as conditions change,” Lowder said.
