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ALERT: Mandatory Water Restrictions in Harrisburg NC 08.27.2007

By
Real Estate Agent with Leigh Brown & Associates, RE/MAX Executive

Hot off the presses....we now have mandatory water restrictions in Harrisburg NC as a response to the current drought situation.

Yes, we had a thunderstorm last night (first rain in what, 6 weeks?), but it wasn't enough.  And too many people aren't conscious of their water usage.  So here we go:

*Watering and irrigation of lawns, ornamental plants, and gardens shall occur only between 8:00 PM and 8:00 AM on Wednesday and Saturday. Businesses whose stock in trade is live plants, including nurseries and retail garden centers are exempt from this provision.

*Planting of new ornamental plants or seeding of lawns shall be deferred until the water emergency no longer exists.

*Use of water for washdown of outside areas, including but not limited to driveways, sidewalks, parking lots and public buildings is prohibited, except in the case of a public health emergency, such as a vehicle wreck or spill.

*Residential washing of cars and other vehicles is prohibited. Commercial washing facilities, including those providing handheld washing nozzles may continue normal operation. However, the facility owner/operator shall insure that water is not wasted. (Go to Auto Bell, my favorite, they recycle their water)

*Commercial, industrial, and construction operations shall eliminate all possible waste of water.

*Newly constructed or drained pools shall be filled by permit only. Fill permits shall be issued by the Director of Water Resources, his or her designee, or the Backflow Administrator and issuance of the permits may be curtailed depending on the severity of the situation.

*Faucets should not be left running while shaving, brushing teeth, or washing dishes.

*The use of clothes washers and dishwashers should be limited if possible and these units should be operated with full loads when used. (If you're shopping for a new one, the front loaders pay for themselves pretty quickly in reduced water usage)

*The use of flow restrictions and other water saving devices is encouraged.

*Showers should be used for bathing and limited to four (4) minutes or less.

*In addition, those using well-water for irrigation are strongly urged to water only between 8 PM and 8 AM.

Please report all violations to the Harrisburg Town Hall at 704.455.5614.

And be smart, people.  There's enough for everyone if we're not wasteful.

Stephanie Edwards-Musa
thredUP.com - The Woodlands, TX
knitwit at thred UP

Hi Leigh,  It's too bad that they had to put water restrictions out...but would it be a bad thing if these rules were in place all of the time?  :)  Leaves us some food for thought. 

Great job getting the word out to everyone!

Aug 27, 2007 08:21 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Leigh, I can't remember when the last time was that we were on water restrictions around here.  As inconvenient as that might be, it is a lot better than the alternative.

Aug 27, 2007 10:38 AM
Leigh Brown
Leigh Brown & Associates, RE/MAX Executive - Charlotte, NC
CEO, Dream Maker - Charlotte, NC

Stephanie-I think you're dead on target.  Concord, which is our neighbor town, has year-round pricing on water that really skins you if you overuse.  As a result, Concord hasn't had any usage spikes even in the heat wave-folks are smart enough to scale back to make their budgets work!

George-Amen.

Aug 27, 2007 12:28 PM
Linda Davis
RE/MAX Home Team - Gales Ferry, CT
Perhaps some kind neighbors from the mid-west can figure out a way to get some water to you.  Interesting how different parts of the country have their own problems.
Aug 27, 2007 01:13 PM
Gary Smith
Agent Marketing Today - Commerce Township, MI
Leigh,  Good information. My area sometimes has water restrictions even though the water comes from the Great Lakes.  I wouldn't expect too much help from the midwestunless it comes down the Mississippi. Michigan has a burning ban in 75 of 83 Counties because of drought.
Aug 27, 2007 01:22 PM
Steve Scheer
Realty Oasis - Metro Brokers - Highlands Ranch, CO
Highlands Ranch Real Estate - Denver Real Estate
Leigh, We had strict restrictions several years ago, and although things are a bit more voluntary now, it helped people develop better habits for the future in finding ways to conserve & use wisely. 
Aug 27, 2007 01:50 PM
Mike Jaquish
Realty Arts - Cary, NC
919-880-2769 Cary, NC, Real Estate

Leigh,

The drought problems are working their way east, and today Raleigh goes on Phase 1 restrictions, allowing watering once a week.

And I still see watering systems making runoff in the streets.

Some rain would be nice.

Aug 27, 2007 11:18 PM
Diane Aurit
LKN Realty, LLC - Mooresville, NC
Lake Norman Real Estate
Leigh, we in Iredell County aren't there yet.  We are hoping the lower temperatures will help a bit until we get some serious rain.  Lake Norman is 5.4' below full pond. Thanks for the update!
Aug 28, 2007 04:49 AM
Susan Trombley
Trombley Real Estate - Wake Forest, NC
Broker/Realtor, Raleigh, Cary, Wake Forest, Youngs
And Raleigh has been fining those who do not comply with restrictions and they get only one day durning the evening night to water.
Aug 28, 2007 06:09 AM
Jenny Persha
Keller Williams - Madison, WI

It just keeps raining here (Madison, WI).  Some areas have had flooding issues.  What is really amazing is that while it rained non-stop for seven days straight--the pizza hut down the block still had it's sprinklers come on each morning at 8am. 

Aug 30, 2007 09:38 AM
Anonymous
ayanna

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How will this play out with residents like the repercussions? I was reading an article that stated restrictions like no car wash after a time, no bird baths, no lawn watering and I bumped into a solution for car wash. Has anyone ever head of a <a href="http://www.rejuvenateauto.com/car-wash-waterless.php">waterless car wash</a>?

 

Jun 17, 2009 05:04 AM
#11