News Release - October 18th, 2007
NEWS RELEASE BELMONT HALTS ALL OUTSIDE WATERING
Due to continuing drought conditions and their effect on regional water supplies in the Catawba River basin, the City of Belmont is altering its mandatory water use restrictions to eliminate all outside lawn and plant watering as of Thursday, October 18, 2007. On Monday, October 15th, Governor Easley called on all cities and towns throughout North Carolina to take the lead in directing citizens to stop using water for any purpose that is not essential to public health and safety. As the Governor noted, this call was being put out so as to preserve dwindling water supplies across the state and avoid more stringent restrictions in the coming months, including the potential for water rationing. The Governor specifically asked that all cities and towns adopt the following actions: •· Stop watering lawns and shrubbery at homes and businesses. •· Do not wash down houses, driveways, or sidewalks. •· Do not wash your car. •· Restaurants should only serve water when patrons ask. The current water use restrictions adopted by the City of Belmont have already addressed all of these items, although the watering of plants, shrubbery, or trees with the use of a handheld hose was allowed once per week during designated hours. Effective immediately, however, all outside watering of lawns, plants, shrubbery, or trees is prohibited at all times. As stated by the Governor, this measure and the others already in place are taken only to preserve the public supply of water for essential uses. The focus of the restrictions to date has fallen on lawn and plant watering since this activity does not relate to public health or safety. Should conditions continue to deteriorate, additional measures will have to be implemented that will target water use by business and industry. This is a step that we hope to avoid at all costs, as the effects of such action can impact both the local economy and the jobs that these businesses provide. We remain appreciative of the level of cooperation that our citizens have given to date with the restrictions that have already been implemented and urge your continued compliance with the outside watering ban now being initiated. Should anyone desire additional details concerning the full list of water use requirements, please contact the Belmont City Hall at 704-825-5586. | 
