As drought conditions ease, Spartanburg Water says you can water your lawn as usual
SPARTANBURG — Spartanburg Water has lifted its call to curb water use as drought conditions ease.
The water utility asked residents to conserve beginning in May after a nine-month rain deficit. With rainfall heavier than usual over the past 30 days, conditions have improved, it said in a news release.
“Although improving drought conditions now allow us to lift these recommendations for most of our customers, thoughtful water use remains one of the simplest and most effective ways we can all help preserve this valuable resource,” Spartanburg Water CEO Guy Boyle said in the news release.
The South Carolina Drought Response Committee downgraded Spartanburg County’s drought status Aug. 6 from severe to moderate.
Recent rain has refilled water supply reservoirs and provided much-needed relief across many parts of the Upstate, according to utility officials. Still, they said many local streams and groundwater levels need more to recharge and counter the rainfall deficit ongoing since last August.
National Weather Service Meteorologist Clay Chaney said the Spartanburg area has received only around 40 inches of rain since then. During the same timeframe the year before, the area got about 20 inches more — which is a very big difference, he said.
“It kind of represents the reason why we have these ongoing drought conditions even though it seems we’ve gotten a decent amount of rainfall over the past few weeks,” Chaney said.
The Spartanburg area saw an average of 3-5 inches of rain in July, and so far in August has gotten about 1-3 inches, according to Chaney.
So far in August, he said rainfall has been similar to what it was last year, though maybe a bit drier.
Chaney expects drought conditions to continue improving, at least through August, but doesn’t think they will completely disappear.
Spartanburg Water said it will continue to monitor drought conditions and update its customers.
The initial request to conserve water was “out of an abundance of caution,” according to the news release. Boyle said he was grateful that customers answered the call.
As part of the push to conserve water, the utility asked customers to only water their lawns at night and on certain days, and to refrain from washing boats, cars and outdoor surfaces like driveways and sidewalks.
Officials also wanted residents to inspect and repair leaky toilets, faucets and pipes, take shorter showers and use dishwashers and clothes washers only with full loads — all tips that can lower utility bills outside of efforts to save water.
“Being proactive and responsible stewards of our natural resources are part of Spartanburg Water’s core responsibilities,” he said in the news release. “We don’t wait until water supplies are under significant stress before encouraging conservation because protecting our rivers and reservoirs is always the right approach.”