City and town officials in Cabarrus and southern Rowan counties are easing water restrictions starting Saturday, but they warn that stream flows feeding reservoirs remain below normal and urge residents to abide by conservation measures still in place.
The amended restrictions are effective for water customers in Concord, Kannapolis, Harrisburg, Landis and Mount Pleasant.
While irrigation by use of sprinklers and other automated watering devices is still banned at all times, restrictions on watering using a spring-loaded nozzle have been revised to allow limited use.
The following are permitted all day on Tuesday and Saturday:
– Watering of trees, flowers, shrubs, ornamental plants and vegetable gardens for plant preservation.
Watering must be performed with a hand-held hose equipped with a spring-loaded nozzle using the minimum amount of water necessary.
The following will be permitted on any Saturday at any time effective June 14:
– Residential car washing will be allowed using a hand-held hose or pressure washer equipped with a spring-loaded nozzle.
The modifications to water-use restrictions are consistent with other jurisdictions within the Catawba Basin and exceed low inflow protocol requirements, the jurisdictions said in a press release.
The following activities are not permitted under the modifications to the Level III mandatory restrictions:
– No lawn watering using any type of system connected to the municipal water system.
– No irrigation services will be activated. Irrigation services may be installed, but no meters will be set or activated until the drought has subsided.
– Filling of swimming pools and operation of ornamental fountains is still prohibited; however, topping off is acceptable.
– Use of water for washing down outside areas is prohibited except for pressure-washing businesses with an appropriate privilege license. The businesses are responsible for ensuring that no water is wasted.
All other restrictions remain in effect.
Without continued rainfall, conditions could change rapidly, the press release said. Citizens should remain diligent in their conservation efforts. Customers are reminded to pursue projects cautiously given the persistent drought conditions and should remain aware of current water-use restrictions as published.
The amendments to the restrictions become effective at 12 a.m. Saturday.