The Pickens City Hall reported Thursday that its water restrictions are now mandatory.
Restrictions include:
- No washing vehicles, except for business purposes
- No watering for landscaping
- No washing sidewalks, driveways, other hard surfaces
- No decorative fountains
- No washing buildings
Violators will be punished with:
- Warning
- And a possible 30 days in jail and fine of $200
Anderson city officials also reported that the city will likely be under mandatory restrictions by Sept. 1.
The level of Hartwell Lake is what determines the restrictions.
Right now Anderson is in what the city calls a moderate drought phase, meaning Hartwell Lake is below 652 ft., which means there are voluntary conservation measures in effect.
Right now the lake level is 647, when it gets below 646 ', Anderson falls into what the city has designated the severe drought category, which means mandatory water restrictions will start.
An extreme drought phase would happen if Lake Hartwell gets below 638', which is something that's never happened before.
But, if it got to the extreme level, normal water usage would be limited in ways such as:
- restaurants would have to stop serving water in addition to another beverage at restaurants.
- water would be cut off for customers who have been given a 10 day notice to repair a leak and haven't done it.
- No more commercial or residential landscape irrigation.
They hope it doesn't get to that point.
If mandatory restrictiohns are put into place, Anderson will dole out the following punishments to violators:
1- warning, education from a city employee to make sure they understand the rules.
2- certified letter of warning
3- $50 fine added to water bill
4- $100 fine added to water bill
5- water turned off and turned back on after $250 fine is paid.
For more information on the Anderson water conservation plan, click here.
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