Iredell Water asks customers to restrict outdoor usage during drought

IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. – A local water system is asking customers to help conserve water in the extreme heat and dry conditions. Iredell Water is the first in our area to implement water restrictions this season with more than a dozen counties in the state now experiencing drought conditions.

Iredell Water says the goal of the restrictions are to reduce overall water use by 10% to try to maintain adequate water pressure throughout the system to maintain service, and ensure fire protection capabilities.

The drought conditions have Iredell Water asking customers to limit outdoor water use like sprinklers and decorative fountains.

Courtney Anderson just bought new plants to add to her garden before she learned about the limits.

“I didn’t know we had water restrictions. So if I had known, I would not have bought them,” Anderson said.

Iredell Water customers are implementing an irrigation schedule depending on the customers address asking people to water only one day per week.

Odd numbered addresses can water between Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 8am. Even and unnumbered addresses can water between Sunday at 8pm and Monday at 8am. Iredell Water is also prohibiting non-essential water use including car washes at home and cleaning driveways or patios.

Anderson is no stranger to the dry conditions and hopes her green thumb is enough to keep the plants alive.

“I know last year when we had that heat wave in May or June, I had, I had some that died. Thankfully, they came back. But it was all seeds. They just came back,” Anderson said.

Customers can still hand water plants under the rain returns. Anderson plans to work around the changes to keep her greenery alive.

Iredell Water is asking customers to take steps to conserve water indoors too. They want customers to avoid running the faucet while washing dishes or brushing teeth. They’re also asking customers to repair all known leaks and limit using equipment that is cooled by water.

Iredell Water will re-evaluate the restrictions when the forecast is back in their favor.