Updated 5/5/08: Polk County under D-3(Extreme) Drought Conditions
To all Town of Tryon Water customers:
On August 22, 2007, Jim Fatland, Tryon Town Manager, signed a declaration of Stage II (Mandatory) Water Shortage condition.
The State of North Carolina is in a statewide drought situation. Polk County is one of the sixteen counties who are now in the "Extreme" drought category. Governor Easley is asking all residents to continue to conserve water by cutting back an additional ten percent (10%).
Tryon's water supply is obtained solely from Lake Lanier. The Town is only allowed to draw water from the lake if there is water flowing over the dam. As of August 20, 2007, there was a minimal overflow at the Lake Lanier Dam.
The Town has been under Stage I Water Restrictions since June 14, 2007. Please see Stage I chart for restrictions that apply below.
Under Stage II (Mandatory) condition additional guidelines apply. Please see Stage II chart for a listing of those restrictions below.
During this Stage II (Mandatory) condition, it shall be unlawful for those served by the Town of Tryon's water system to use water under any of the descriptions listed in Stage II guidelines.
Any violation of the Stage II guidelines shall constitute a misdemeanor, punishable upon conviction by a fine or imprisonment. Willful disregard of Stage I and/or Stage II guidelines will also result in water service being temporarily disconnected. A reconnect fee will be imposed before restoration of service.
We appreciate your cooperation during this time. The employees of the Town of Tryon will work to enforce these restrictions as professionally as possible.
*Stage II Water Shortage*
(Town Ordinance passed 12/8/86; Am. Ord. 2003-1, passed 2/4/03)
In the event the Stage I conservation measures fail to relieve the demand on the system, a Stage II Water Shortage may be declared. The following mandatory water restrictions shall be imposed. It shall be unlawful for those served by the Town of Tryon's water system:
1. To water lawns, grass, shrubbery, trees, flowers and vegetable gardens except by hand held hose or container or drip irrigation system.
2. To fill newly constructed swimming and/or wading pools or refill swimming and/or wading pools which have been drained.
3. Wash automobiles, trucks, trailers, boats, airplanes or any other type of mobile equipment, including commercial washing.
4. To wash outside areas such as streets, driveways, service station aprons, parking lots, office buildings, exteriors of existing or newly constructed homes or apartments, sidewalks or patios, or to use water for similar purposes.
5. To use water from public or private fire hydrants for any purpose other than fire suppression or other public emergency.
6. To operate or introduce water into any ornamental fountain, pool, or pond or other structure making similar use of water.
7. To serve drinking water in restaurants, cafeterias or other food establishments, except upon request.
8. To operate water cooled air conditioners or other equipment that does not recycle cooling water, except when health and safety are adversely affected.
9. Use water for unnecessary purpose or intentionally waste water.
10. To use water for industrial purposes in an amount in excess of that amount set by the Town Manager.
*Stage I Water Shortage Guidelines*
(Town Ordinance passed 12/8/86; Am. Ord. 2003-1, passed 2/4/03)
Stage I Water Shortage Guidelines. They are as follows:
1. Limit car washing to a minimum.
2. Limit lawn and garden watering to that which is necessary for plants to survive.
3. Do no wash outside areas such as sidewalks, patios, parking lots, service bays or aprons for the like.
4. Do not leave faucets running while shaving or rinsing dishes.
5. Water shrubbery to the minimum required, reusing household water when possible.
6. Limit use of clothes washers and dishwashers and when used, operate fully loaded.
7. Use of showers, rather than bathtubs, for bathing and limit showers to no more than four minutes.
8. Limit flushing of toilets by multiple usages.
9. The use of disposable and biodegradable dishes is encouraged.
10. The use of flow-restrictive and water-saving devices is encouraged.
11. Limit hours of operation of water-cooled air conditioners.
12. All residents, businesses and institutions are requested to delay temporarily new landscape work until shortage ends.
13. Limit use for industrial purposes.