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Palmetto adheres to statewide water restrictions

By LINDSAY BIANCHI
lbianchi@TheCitizenNews.com

Outdoor water use restrictions went into effect in Palmetto Monday after the Mayor and City Council passed a resolution that complies with the statewide ban. The drought response is divided into four levels of severity and an odd-even address system is being used to determine daily use.

Drought response level one went into effect Monday and allows for water use on scheduled days between the hours of midnight-10 a.m. and 4 p.m.-midnight. Odd-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Even-numbered addresses may water on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. There is no watering on Fridays.

Drought response level two allows for water use on scheduled days between midnight and 10 a.m. Odd and even-numbered addresses are scheduled for the same days as response level one. Golf course fairways are restricted to Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. In addition, washing hard surfaces, such as streets, gutters, sidewalks and driveways is prohibited except when necessary for public health and safety.

Drought response level three allows outdoor water use only on the weekend, Saturdays for even-numbered addresses and Sundays for odd- numbered addresses. Watering time remains between midnight and 10 a.m. The same restrictions apply to washing hard surfaces with the added prohibition of filling installed swimming pools except when necessary for health care or structural integrity. Washing vehicles, such as cars, boats, trailers, motorbikes, airplanes or golf carts; buildings, except for immediate fire protection; non-commercial fundraisers, such as car washes; and water use for ornamental purposes, such as fountains, reflecting pools and waterfalls except when necessary to support aquatic life are prohibited.

Drought response level four allows for no outdoor water use of any kind except for certain stormwater and landscape water uses. Personal food gardens and some commercial water uses for businesses like sod producers, ornamental growers, retail garden centers, power washing and construction sites are exempt.

Penalties for violation of these restrictions begin with a warning for the first offense. A $100 fine will be issued for the second offense, a $500 fine for the third offense, and an $800 fine plus disconnection for the fourth offense.

Houses with no number address are listed as even-numbered. The complete listing of this resolution is available at City Hall. These restriction will remain in effect until the state determines that the water supply has improved sufficiently to lift the ban.