City of Aiken requests voluntary reduction in non-essential water use

May 22-AIKEN - The City of Aiken requested May 22 that its water customers voluntarily reduce non-essential water use.

The request by the city's Engineering and Utilities Department follows the South Carolina Drought Response Committee's May 21 declaration that all of the state's counties are in severe drought.

The city is asking that customers refrain from washing sidewalks and driveways, or other hard surfaces, refrain from washing buildings or structures for purposes other than immediate fire protection, refrain from maintaining decorative water bodies for aesthetic or scenic purposes except where necessary to support aquatic life and to reduce other non-essential uses of water where possible.

"The City of Aiken will also reduce non-essential water use in City operations where practical. The goal of these voluntary conservation measures is to reduce residential water use by approximately 25% during the severe drought period," a city press release states.

"At this time, the City of Aiken Engineering and Utilities Department is not reporting a shortage of water supply. The city also does not currently anticipate the need for auxiliary water from the reservoir to maintain flow at Shaws Creek," the release says.

"Weather forecasts indicate a potential for rain in Aiken County from May 22 - June 1," the release says. "City staff will continue to monitor water supply, water quality, system demand, and drought conditions. Any changes in recommendations in voluntary reduction of non-essential water use will be announced via the City's communication channels."

For more information on the Drought Response Committee, visit www.scdrought.com or view The SC Drought Monitoring and response link at http://scdrought.com/pdf/DroughtResponse_SCDrought.pdf.

For more information on the City's water utility, visit www.cityofaikensc.gov.

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