Still on water restriction?

[CharlesW]

With the large amounts of rain and snow that much of the country has been receiving, I was curious how many of you are still on restricted water use.

While we have had some dry conditions over the years, I don't remember any true restrictions. We have been asked to not water lawns and not wash vehicles at times, but I don't think it was ever mandatory.

For those of you that do or have dealt with those conditions, what is your area's stand on rinseless washes? Would you have to use bottled water and have the receipt to keep from getting in trouble? Would they even believe that? Since it is possible to do a car with only one gallon of water, would they allow (or believe) that?

I do think most cities still allow the commercial DIY washes to operate and chances are I would use them for the nasty stuff and finish up with Poorboy's Spray & Wipe. I don't think they would have a problem with that.

 

[Stephan]

I personally never have problems with water, however I have always wondered the same thing. I can't stand it in the winter when I can't wash my car, but let alone when its nice out. The car washes do recylce and filter their water so maybe they are allowed to do it.

If the car is not hardly dirty at all then your right a couple of gallons of water and some ONR will do the trick. Just wash the car in the garage with the door shut.

 

[Bunky]

The southeast is under a lot of water restrictions. In NC, there is a statewide restriction on most non-business outside water usage if you have a public regulated water system. Private wells are not covered. Every area is different since it depends on the specific water supply. Most cities (like Raleigh) get water from lakes and lakes are way down due to greater usage by growth, lack of rain, and just wasting water. One key issue is that most cities rely on water as a revenue source so they have been slow on slowing demand (hoping for the big rain). Some now talk about raising taxes to offset revenue loss.

 

[CharlesW]

Some now talk about raising taxes to offset revenue loss.

Certainly sounds like the thing to do.
Unless of course, someone with some common sense comes up with another idea. Like reduce spending to better match income.

 

[Bunky]

Certainly sounds like the thing to do.
Unless of course, someone with some common sense comes up with another idea. Like reduce spending to better match income.

Some cities are not all wasteful spending. Yes, they could cut police, fire, parks, etc in a pinch.

 

[pogo123]

Originally Posted by Bunky View Post
Some now talk about raising taxes to offset revenue loss.

Certainly sounds like the thing to do.
Unless of course, someone with some common sense comes up with another idea. Like reduce spending to better match income.

Actually, this is a little misleading because water and sewer operations are enterprise funds which are usually funded by user fees and not property taxes (which are in the general fund portion of our budgets). In fact it is actually illegal to mix enterprise and general funds in most cases in Municipal budgets, although there are some exceptions. They are probably talking about raising their water rates (user fees) to help cover the revenue loss. I operate a County water system in North Carolina and most of our costs to produce the water, and maintain the system, are fixed so our operating costs stay about the same even though people are using less water. The loss of revenue from lower sales is as hard on the water producers as it is on our customers.

 

[Poorboy]

droughts don't end that quickly even with a few large rain storms. A few years back we had a drought here in NY and our reservoirs were very low, it took a few years to get back to the normal levels and that included winters with snow. Southern states without the advantage of snow, I would think would take even longer to return to normal levels:hmmm:

 

[Way2SSlow]

We're under restriction here in Metro ATL big time. I usually just ONR at my work. We have a heated two bay shop and I just pull the car in, shut the door and go to town. I've also got a few pay and spray carwashes nearby.

 

[Bunky]

Actually, this is a little misleading because water and sewer operations are enterprise funds which are usually funded by user fees and not property taxes (which are in the general fund portion of our budgets). In fact it is actually illegal to mix enterprise and general funds in most cases in Municipal budgets, although there are some exceptions. They are probably talking about raising their water rates (user fees) to help cover the revenue loss. I operate a County water system in North Carolina and most of our costs to produce the water, and maintain the system, are fixed so our operating costs stay about the same even though people are using less water. The loss of revenue from lower sales is as hard on the water producers as it is on our customers.

I do agree it is about fixed costs but it is not a not for profit enterprise from what I have read. I was specifically referring to Durham. Raleigh has not mentioned this. I am on a community well so their concern is peak usage so the provider (Aqua) did not seem enthusiastic about reducing usage a lot.. just watering all those yards all day long.