Council to Discuss Watering Restrictions10/16/2007

The Holly Springs Town Council will discuss whether to impose more watering restrictions at its Oct. 16 meeting. The city of Raleigh, which supplies some of Holly Springs' water, has decided to ban use of sprinkler systems because of exceptional drought.

Holly Springs' current restrictions took effect in early September, when the Town cut the use of sprinklers and automatic irrigation systems from three times a week to once a week. Watering with hand-held hoses or cans is not restricted.

With the switch to once-a-week irrigation, Holly Springs water customers cut usage in September by more than 20 percent compared with August.

Town officials praised homeowners' high level of compliance with the additional watering restrictions, but stressed the importance of continuing to conserve since no drought relief is in sight.

“If we don't get substantial rain in the next four months, we're going to have real problems,” Town Manager Carl Dean said last month. “This is serious stuff.”

Holly Springs buys most of its water from Harnett County, which draws from the Cape Fear River. The city of Raleigh uses Falls Lake.

The Town of Holly Springs is contractually obligated to follow its suppliers' lead on watering restrictions.

Gov. Mike Easley has asked municipalities to increase conservation to preserve public health and safety and avoid the need for rationing.

The drought across much of the state is the worst in recorded history. With a winter forecast of drier than normal conditions, the governor said every citizen must save water in every way possible.

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Town of Holly Springs - PO Box 8 - 128 South Main Street - Holly Springs, NC 27540 - (919) 552-6221 - Holly.Springs@hollyspringsnc.us