Chatham OKs water rules

Provisions regulate various uses for 5,000 households

The Chatham County commissioners adopted new rules Tuesday to promote year-round water conservation.

"The intent is to ... preserve the water supply in Jordan Lake and reduce high-peak-demand days that strain our water system," said David Hughes, public works director. "If we can reduce those high peaks, it will help prevent costly expansions of water facilities to meet that demand."

The revisions allow about 5,000 households served by the Jordan Lake Treatment Plant (northeastern Chatham only) to apply a total of 1 inch of water on two specified days a week. It does not apply to residents who get water service from Cary or to county water customers outside the northeast.

THE SCHEDULE

Governors Club, odd-numbered addresses: Tuesday and Friday

Governors Club, even-numbered addresses: Monday and Thursday

Carolina Meadows, odd-numbered addresses: Tuesday and Friday

Carolina Meadows, even-numbered addresses: Wednesday and Saturday

Carolina Meadows Golf Course: Wednesday and Sunday

Big Woods Subdivision: Monday and Thursday

Fearrington Village: Tuesday and Saturday

All other addresses: Wednesday and Sunday

Irrigation systems must have automatic controllers and moisture sensors. "If we've had recent rainfall or the soil is sufficiently moist, the irrigation system should not apply water," Hughes said. "If it does activate during these periods, the customer will be in violation of the ordinance."

WHAT ELSE IS PROHIBITED

* Watering landscaping or using water to clean vehicles, equipment or hard surfaces (driveways, parking lots, etc.) to the extent that water pools or runs onto adjacent property or public right-of-way.

* Losing water through plumbing leaks that can be readily identified and repaired. All leaks must be repaired within 10 days of being detected, said Roy Lowder, director of water utilities.

WHAT ELSE IS ALLOWED

* Irrigation required to establish new lawns and landscaping for as long as 30 days after planting;

* Irrigation due to chemical treatments that require immediate watering to preserve or establish landscaping;

* Water used to control dust or compact soil when other methods are unavailable;

* Visually supervised testing of watering systems for short periods of time;

* Water needed to address health, safety or accident hazards when other options are unavailable;

* Water used for construction or maintenance activities when water is the most appropriate choice and when other practical options are not available;

* Water used for firefighting, training of firefighters, testing of fire hoses, and similar types of emergency responder uses; and

* Water used for other special purposes, such as flushing out garbage trucks or removing unsanitary materials, when no other alternative exists.

PENALTIES

* First violation, written warning

* Second violation, $250 fine

* Third violation, $500 fine

* Fourth violation, disconnection from county water service.