Fayetteville to Move to Next Stage of Water Shortage Ordinance
Additional Water Restrictions to Begin on October 22

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October 19, 2007

Beginning Monday October 22, PWC water customers will be required to follow tighter water restrictions, in response to Governor Mike Easley's statewide request to do more to conserve water. Fayetteville will move into Stage II of its Water Shortage Ordinance which calls for a reduction in the number of days customers can use outdoor irrigation, and the banning of most other outdoor water use.

Use of automatic irrigation systems and sprinklers will not be allowed on Monday, Tuesday and Friday as outdoor watering schedules are reduced. Even addresses will be allowed to use irrigation systems and sprinklers on Wednesday and Saturday. Odd addresses will be allowed to use irrigation systems and sprinklers on Thursday and Sunday. Hand watering is allowed on any day.

The following activities will not be allowed: washing of vehicles except at commercial car washes; washing down of outside areas such as streets, driveways and building exteriors; and filling newly constructed swimming pools or refilling pools that have been drained. Industrial and commercial businesses will be asked to reduce their water consumption with a target goal of least 20%. Use of fire hydrants for any purpose other than fires or other public emergency is also not allowed.

Since 2003, Fayetteville customers have followed annual outdoor watering schedules from May 1- September 30. This year, the mandatory schedules were extended when Fayetteville declared Stage I of its ordinance. Stage I also called for voluntary reduction in outdoor water use.

PWC customers have used an average of 30.2 million gallons (MGD) a day since the end of May. The highest use of water during the summer was on May 30 when demand reached 37 MGD. Since Stage I voluntary measures were declared, water use dropped by an average half million gallons a day. Since October 1, water use has dropped to 26 MGD, the typical annual average for PWC customers. Fayetteville's all-time high was 42 MGD in 1999 before the mandatory schedules were implemented.

"Our customers should be commended for their conservation efforts," said Steve Blanchard, PWC CEO/General Manager. "Our water demand has shown that customers have not only followed the permanent conservation measures of our ordinance, but in the last few weeks have voluntarily reduced their use even more. The amount of water we are treating for customer use is the same as the amount of wastewater we are treating and returning to the river, which shows outdoor water use has dropped significantly."

"Even with our customers' best efforts, we have to take steps to prepare for the impact the drought is having on our state and the Cape Fear River Basin. We are working diligently to insure our customers continue to have an adequate supply of water for their essential needs and that the impact of the drought and water restrictions on our local businesses can be minimized."

The Cape Fear River serves as Fayetteville's main water source and, because of statewide drought conditions; the river is currently flowing at less than half its normal rate. Officials have been watching the river's flow and the levels at Jordan Lake, while determining when to move to tighter restrictions.

Fayetteville PWC serves over 200,000 people in Fayetteville and Cumberland County, including Hope Mills, Spring Lake and Stedman. The Stage II conditions will remain in effect until further notice and penalties will be imposed for customers not following the Stage II ordinance.

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