Water shortage response plan up for adoption

By NICOLE CARTRETTE
Staff Writer

Columbus County is one step closer to having more authority when it comes to asking water customers to cut back at the faucet.

A first reading of a water emergency ordinance and water shortage response plan took place Nov. 5.

A severe drought has plagued the Southeast and with most water supplies at critical lows throughout the state, mandatory restrictions are in place in some cities and towns.

Columbus County has not instituted any mandatory restrictions but Public Utilities Director Leroy Sellers told the board last Monday it was time to adopt an ordinance and new plan.

“This is something that we are doing at the request of the governor,” Sellers said.

Under the plan the public utilities director determines and declares if a water emergency exists, depending on severity of the emergency.

Water use restrictions and penalties are grouped in three categories to be declared by state or local officials, under the plan modeled after Brunswick County’s.

Stage one is the least severe with voluntary water -saving practices encouraged while stage three is the most severe with mandatory restrictions.

Stage I exists when “there are three consecutive days when water demand exceeds 80 percent of the water production capacity.”

Under a Stage I emergency, users are encouraged to reduce usage by limiting showers to five minutes, keeping car washing at a minimum and following other voluntary measures.

Under Stage II, a water shortage warning is declared and exists when there are two consecutive days when water demand exceeds 90 percent of the water production capacity.

Lawns and shrubbery watering is prohibited except by hand-held hoses, container or drip irrigation.

Golf courses are allowed to irrigate using storm water ponds, waste water effluent and irrigation wells. Licensed landscape contractors may water with a written warranty. Filling a swimming pool, washing cars and washing buildings are among the prohibited activities in Stage II.

A Stage III shortage occurs when water usage of one day exceeds 100 percent of the water production capacity.
Stage III includes Stage II mandatory restrictions but specifically prohibits watering lawns, grass and shrubbery and washing cars (even at commercial car washes).

Vegetable gardens may only be watered by hand-held hose, container, or drip irrigation.

Commercial and industrial customers are required to reduce water usage by a targeted 50 percent or greater depending on severity of the emergency.

“Variances to the target reduction may be granted by the director or his authorized representative to designated public health facilities,” the ordinance reads.

If it is determined those restrictions are not sufficient for fire protection, “all use for water for purposes other than maintenance of public health and safety shall be prohibited.”

The director has the authority to require commercial and industrial water customers to prepare plans that detail measures to meet mandatory reductions in Stages II and III. Businesses have 60 days to comply with the request.

Violation of any of the mandatory water restrictions could result in a $500 fine each day and $1,000 a day if not paid within 15 days. “Each day’s continuing violation is a separate and distinct offense,” the ordinance reads.
Water service may also be temporarily suspended for failure to comply with the restrictions.

A user may appeal a penalty or service termination to the director. “The director is the final decision-maker for appeals,” according to the proposed ordinance.

Variances may also be granted, according to the separate water shortage response plan. Upon the director’s denial of a variance, the right to appeal to the Board of Commissioners exists.

Adoption of the plan is anticipated at the Nov. 19 commissioners meeting.