EPD mandates a 10-percent reduction in water production

Kay Remsen, clerk for the City of Lincolnton, was recognized at the November 5 meeting of the mayor and council for 25 years of service to the people of Lincolnton. Pictured with Remsen is Mayor Dwaine Biggerstaff.

The water has finally hit the wheel for the City of Lincolnton and Lincoln County...

The Environmental Protection Division (EPD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is requiring the City of Lincolnton to reduce its average water production by 10 percent during the winter quarter (December 1, 2007 through March 31, 2008).

The matter was under discussion at the regular meeting of the Lincolnton City Council held Monday, November 5.

In a letter received by the city on October 30, Dr. Carol Couch, director of the EPD, wrote: "Public water supply systems with an operating permit issued pursuant to the Safe Drinking Water Act shall reduce monthly average production (amount of treated water pumped into the distribution network) by 10 percent of the average of the monthly average production for the period of December 2006 through March 2007...

"Failure to reduce and report your water usage as required herein could result in enforcement action."

"This is going to be very hard to do since the county ran about 40 miles of new water lines two years ago, and both the city and the county have been adding customers," said Stanley Parton, superintendent of the city's water department. "Also, the county is getting air in its system because the aquifer is low. The only way to take care of the problem is to flush out the lines, which means increased water production.

"We're asking our residents and businesses to conserve as much water as possible to help us meet these EPD requirements and get us through the drought we are experiencing," he continued.

On September 28, the EPD announced that Lincoln County is one of the counties in the state experi- encing Drought Level 4 conditions. Level 4 is the most severe drought classification.

According to Mayor Dwaine Biggerstaff, city and county officials met earlier in the day to discuss the situation. They agreed that it will take from both governments to reduce water production.

"We've got to come up with a plan and make an attempt to conserve water," the mayor continued. "The EPD wants to make sure we're taking this seriously. We have to make a conscientious effort to make do with less."

City attorney Barry Fleming concurred: "The city needs to build a record to show it did all it could when the hard times hit so it won't incur a fine later."

In his remarks, Ernie Doss, director of the Lincoln County Department of Public Safety, said, "Almost 100 percent of the water usage in the county is residential. Since we're getting air from the aquifer, we're going to have to buy more water from the city. We're struggling. We've got individuals we're trying to convince to conserve water. We need a unified effort from the city and the county."

At the conclusion of the discussion, the city:

(1) Voted to ask the city attorney to draft an ordinance containing penalties for violating the Level 4 water use restrictions currently in place.

(2) Agreed to request that the city's biggest water customers (the county and the school system) reduce their water usage.

(3) Agreed that the city and the county will work together to create a doorhanger to be distributed when water meters are read. The doorhanger will contain simple tips to reduce water consumption.

Water-saving tips include: .. Fix leaky faucets.

.. Take shorter showers.

.. Run the dishwasher and washing machine only when they are full. By doing this, you could save 1,000 gallons of water a month.

.. Don't run water while shaving or brushing your teeth.

.. Install water-saving toilets.

.. Use your garbage disposal sparingly.

.. Don't use running water to thaw food.

In additional comments, Mayor Biggerstaff said, "If we don't get rain, what we're experiencing now will be mild when we get to April. Instead of worrying about washing our cars, we will be worrying about having enough water for basic human consumption."

He went on to say, "This is just the beginning of what is going to be a problem for Georgia. Even without the drought, there will be a demand for more and more water."

Following the discussion, Councilman Robert Glaze stated, "We all have to work together."

In other business, the mayor and council recognized city clerk Kay Remsen for 25 years of service to the people of Lincolnton.

"Kay has been the city's right and left hand for many years," said Mayor Biggerstaff. "Although she lives in the county, her heart is in the city. Her service has been invaluable."

He then thanked Remsen for the 25 years she has devoted to the city.

To commemorate the occasion, the city clerk was presented with a cornucopia filled with fall flowers and a gift certificate for the Outback Steakhouse.

Caught by surprise, Remsen thanked the mayor and council for their thoughtfulness.

In further business, the council:

.. Heard the Water Department Report given by Superintendent Parton, who said, "Water production decreased again this month, dropping from 15.23 million gallons in September to 13.44 million gallons in October."

.. Voted to sign the "Lincolnton- Lincoln County Emergency Management Agency Resolution for Emergency Management" as a "housekeeping measure," because a signed copy of the most recent EMA resolution could not be located. The resolution was signed by the county at its regular October meeting.

An agreement of this nature has been in effect for the past 20 to 25 years.

.. Voted to grant an alcoholic beverage license renewal to Fast Times Enterprises.

.. Voted to send a proposal made by David Griffin, city zoning administrator, to raise building permit fees to the Permits and Ordinances Committee, chaired by Councilman Guil Mattison. The item will appear again on the agenda for the council's regular December meeting.

.. Voted to approve the purchase of $1,500 in materials (signage) for the zoning department.

.. Voted to adopt a revised building permit application. The new application is easier to read and contains more information than the previous one.

.. Voted to grant a zoning approval extension of 91 days to Deanne and Stanley Thompson of Lincoln Square, LLC for property located on the Augusta Highway.

.. Was informed by Mayor Biggerstaff that all city employees are invited to attend a management class being offered by the CSRA Regional Development Center (RDC).

The next regular meeting of the mayor and council will be held Monday, December 3, at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.