Woodfin asks for voluntary water conservation measures; WNC still in drought, has burn ban
The ongoing drought conditions across Western North Carolina this fall has led Woodfin Sewer and Water District to implement voluntary water conservation measures, according to a Nov. 13 news release. Residents are discouraged from using water for nonessential uses, like car washing, lawn watering and other forms of outdoor irrigation.
The district made the decision because its reservoir, Sugar Fort Camp in Weaverville, has decreased by 7 feet, according to Woodfin Water and Sewer District Executive Director Brian Goldstein, who spoke to the Citizen Times Nov. 15.
Goldstein was not concerned that the water level would decrease enough that the district would need to take more drastic measures. He said that the reservoir level would need to drop around another 7 feet for the district to take additional steps. The reservoir, he said, is 40 feet deep.
Goldstein said that the changes were caused by an abnormally dry autumn. According to the National Integrated Drought Information System, this past month was the 18th driest October in Buncombe County in the past 129 years.
Rain should be coming to Western North Carolina soon. National Weather Service Meteorologist Doug Outlaw told the Citizen Times Nov. 15 that there will be a light rain during the weekend, but more intense showers will come to Asheville and Hendersonville in the beginning of next week.
Asheville is expected to receive between a half and three-quarters of an inch of rain on Nov. 21 and 22. Asheville typically receives 43 inches of rain at this point of the year, but it has only received around 31 inches of rain so far, according to National Weather Service Meteorologist Christiaan Patterson.
The city of Asheville does not anticipate making any water consumption recommendations for residents in its jurisdiction, according to spokesperson Clay Chandler. Chandler said the Asheville’s water system covers 180 square miles of Buncombe County and a small sliver of Henderson County, but none of the municipalities.
More: WNC wildfires: Collett Ridge, Edneyville fires do not grow; rain not enough to end drought
Weaverville Town Manager Selena Coffey told the Citizen Times that its water levels have not changed significantly, and that the town is not currently implementing any voluntary measures. She said that Weaverville is not opposed to implementing voluntary measures if they are required. Weaverville gets its water from the Ivy River.
Montreat, which uses a series of wells coordinated in a centralized distribution system to source its water, does not have any plans to implement any suggested restrictions on water usage, Town Manager Savannah Parrish told the Citizen Times.
Black Mountain, which receives its water from a system of wells and a City of Asheville reservoir, does not plan to implement any restrictions at the moment, according to Town Manager Josh Harrold.
More: Candidate forum in Woodfin: Hopefuls look to the future and try to leave the past behind
According to Asheville’s water shortage response plan, water supply conditions would need to indicate a potential for a shortage for the city to implement voluntary reduction measures.
Under this policy, residents would be encouraged to reduce water usage, but penalties would not apply for noncompliance.
Asheville Water Shortage Response Plan 2022 Upd - FINAL by Mitchell Black on Scribd
The city’s Water Resources Department owns and operates water treatment plants:
North Fork in Black Mountain;
Mills River, which is near the Asheville Regional Airport; and
William DeBruhl in Swannanoa.
Buncombe County initially implemented a burn ban Nov. 6, barring residents from conducting any burn except outdoor grills. According to a Nov. 15 news release, that ban is still in effect.
Mitchell Black covers Buncombe County and health care for the Citizen Times. Email him at mblack@citizentimes.com or follow him on Twitter @MitchABlack. Please help support local journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Woodfin water district implements voluntary conservation measures
