Water conservation requested by Town of Oneida
The Oneida Water & Wastewater Department is urging its customers to conserve water as drought conditions rage on across the region.
In a written statement last week, Water & Wastewater Manager Johnny Acres requested voluntary water conservation measures, such as eliminating car washing, lawn watering and similar non-essential uses.
“The lake levels are extremely low and with no significant rainfall forecast, it has become necessary to conserve as much water as possible,” Acres said.
Acres was not available for additional comment. However, in his written statement, he said that mandatory restrictions might become necessary at a later date.
According to Huntsville Utility District Manager Larry Crowley, the water supply at the Flat Creek Reservoir is 5.5 feet below normal, but remains in good shape. Crowley said that he does not anticipate any problems “at this time.”
Huntsville is currently pumping 1.7 million gallons of water per day, 0.5 million of which is going to Oneida to help meet demands there.
Crowley said HUD had activated pumps in New River on Tuesday morning, but did not plan to pump from the river unless it becomes necessary.
“I’m diving into the unknown, but with the water sources being what they are, I think we’re in pretty good shape for now,” Crowley said.
In what is now being referred to as the worst drought in the region’s history, water shortages are becoming critical throughout the Southeastern United States. The U.S. government currently classifies the drought in Scott County and much of the rest of Tennessee as being an “Exceptional Drought,” at the top of the charts.
In Monteagle, Tennessee, city officials say that their water supply may be days away from running out, while mandatory restrictions are now in place in Blount County. Further south, Atlanta officials say that the water source for the city and much of north Georgia is down to a three-month supply, while there are multiple reports from southeastern Kentucky of wells going dry.
In Lynchburg, Tennessee, managers at Jack Daniels have said they may have to halt production of their popular liquor due to a shortage of iron-free water.
Water shortages have also made headlines in Blount County.
The official forecast from the National Weather Service is for a drier-than-normal winter across much of the Southeast, which could drive water levels even lower.
Rain was in the forecast for today (Thursday), with another chance of rain possible by early next week.