Gov. Mike Easley has expanded water conservation directives to state agencies in 17 counties in Western North Carolina, including Henderson County, that are in an extreme or severe drought. Transylvania County was already in the directive.
Easley directed all state agencies stop non-essential water use and asked businesses and residents across the state to voluntarily cut back their use by about 10 percent.
Easley also repeated the importance of state and local governments continuing to conserve water because drought conditions are worsening.
"I have expanded my direction to state agencies to an additional five of the hardest-hit counties to stop using water for anything that is not related to public health and safety, as water supplies become limited in those counties," Easley said. "We are just starting the summer recreational season when demand for water increases for everything from home gardening to neighborhood pools. It is critical that all North Carolinians limit all non-essential uses of water and observe any water restrictions that are ordered by local authorities."
http://www.governor.state.nc.us/News_FullStory.asp?id=3919
Please use any measures you can to recycle or save water. While some relief appears to be in site, most extended forecasts do not show major rain events.
For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.
