Effective 5 p.m. Tuesday, the Town of Tryon will be under Stage 1 water restrictions, according to a town news release.

Joey Davis, town manager, issued the following statement:

“After discussions with the Public Works Director and Town Council, the Town of Tryon is moving to Stage 1 water conservation as of 5 p.m. today.

As such the requirements of a Stage 1 restriction plan are:

(A) Compliance. In the event the Town Manager issues a declaration of a Stage I Water Shortage Condition, it shall be unlawful for person, firm or corporation to use or permit the use of water from the town system for any purpose hereinafter set forth until such time as the declaration of water shortage has been rescinded.

(B) In the event that a Stage I Water Shortage is declared, in addition to the Stage 0 requirements already in effect, it shall be unlawful to use water supplied by the town’s water system in the following manner:

(1) To water lawns, grass, shrubbery, trees, flowers and vegetable gardens except by hand-held hose or container or drip irrigation system.

(2) To fill newly constructed swimming and/or wading pools or refill swimming and/or wading pools which have been drained.

(3) To wash automobiles, trucks, trailers, boats, airplanes or any other type of mobile equipment, with the exception of commercial car washes. Commercial car washes shall adhere to restrictions set by the Town Manager.

(4) To wash outside areas such as streets, driveways, service station aprons, parking lots, office buildings, exteriors of existing or newly constructed homes or apartments, sidewalks or patios, or to use water for other similar purposes.

(5) To use water from public or private fire hydrants for any purpose other than fire suppression or other public emergency.

(6) To operate or induce water into any ornamental fountain, pool or pond or other structure making similar use of water.

The restrictions can be lifted or increased based on any precipitation we get this week. For questions please contact the Town of Tryon.”

More information on the town’s plan for conservation and the stages visit www.tinyurl.com/TryonWaterConservation and scroll to the bottom of page 6.

In an email to the Bulletin Tuesday afternoon, Davis further explained, “Of course we are concerned about the lack of rain as of late – but optimistic that the next few days will bring an enhanced chance of rain.

Recall that several years ago the Town updated our water shortage plan. Last week Cleveland County was classified as a severe drought – meaning that’s only two counties away (state updates every Thursday). If Polk County moves to “severe” drought status the following happens:

Stage II restrictions will be enacted when the drought monitor classifies Polk as in a severe drought, which is when mandatory restrictions begin. Besides stage 0 and stage 1 restrictions, stage II includes it being unlawful to serve drinking water in restaurants and running non-recyclable water-cooled air conditioners.

If the drought becomes extreme:

Stage III is implemented when the drought monitor classifies Polk County in an extreme drought and adds mandatory restrictions such as drafting water out of ponds and rivers for fire protection and using disposable utensils and plates at all eating establishments.

One concern of course is the water that runs over the dam at Lake Lanier. If that stops (per the Public Works Director it’s getting low but still running over), the restrictions get severe:  At stage IV mandatory water restrictions, or when Polk is in an exceptional drought, the plan requires the town fire department to bring in non-potable water by truck to be used for toilet flushing and other uses where potable water is not required. The National Guard may also be asked to assist the town during stage IV restrictions by use of their “water buffalo” wagons. The town during stage IV restrictions is to establish an account with a potable water bottling company in preparation of buying large amounts of bottled water.

Stage IV is the first state of emergency and can also be declared when water stops running over the weir of the Lake Lanier Dam.

The Town has the option of declaring that stage. We would consult with our water plant to see how much water we are using from alternate sources.  Of course we will always err on the side of caution.

Of note as well is the existence now of the interconnect line which was constructed in response to the 2008 drought. That line connects the 4 water systems at this point should conditions warrant moving water from one point to another.

We would ask citizens to use good judgment when consuming water currently. Our Public Works department keeps a constant check on this and keeps me informed. In turn the council is apprised as much as possible.

Important notices to our citizens will be distributed through our media outlets as well as the Town’s social media sites.”