Valdese and the entire Catawba-Wateree Group recommends voluntary continuation of wise outdoor water use as basin's drought conditions improve to LIP Stage 1.

Date of Record: April 9, 2009

VALDESE- The Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group (CW-DMAG) announced this week that the steady improvement of groundwater and streamflow conditions have lessened the basin's drought to a Low Inflow Protocol (LIP) Stage 1.

In accordance with LIP guidelines, the CW-DMAG recommends that its members encourage customers to voluntarily continue using water wisely and to convey to utility customers that outdoor water use for lawn and landscape irrigation, as well as residential vehicle washing, is rarely needed more the two days a week. Local water suppliers will provide guidance on outdoor water use specific to their jurisdictions.

Water suppliers in the Upper Catawba River Basin that are working together and taking the same measures are: Hickory, Conover, Claremont, Town of Catawba, Brookford, Long View, Maiden, Mountain View community in Catawba County, Sherrill's Ford community in Catawba County, Alexander County (Highway 16 area, Sugarloaf and Bethlehem), Burke County, Morganton, Glen Alpine, Drexel, Valdese, Connelly Springs, Rhodhiss, Brentwood Water Corporation, Triple Community Water Corporation, Rutherford College Water Corporation, Caldwell County, Lenoir, Hudson, Granite Falls, Sawmills and Baton Water Corporation.

Water providers in the area will discontinue mandatory restrictions and ask customers to continue to conserve on a voluntary basis. The City of Hickory is requesting all customers to participate in voluntary conservation measures with the goal of reducing usage by three to five percent. Measures to achieve this goal include outside watering no more than two times per week with the intention of applying one-inch per week, turn off water while brushing your teeth and repair leaking faucets and/or toilets. Customers are asked to meet and continue the three to five percent water use reduction goal until further notice.