LANDIS — With no rain in the forecast, Landis and China Grove are going to mandatory water restrictions.
The restrictions include the prohibition of watering lawns, washing cars, as well as requiring restaurants to switch to disposable service utensils.
Landis Public Works Director Tommy Branch declared the switch to mandatory restrictions late Monday after invoking voluntary restrictions a week ago.
Southern Rowan is on the verge of breaking a record set in 1886 of more than 40 days without any measurable rainfall.
On Thursday, it will be 40 days since the last rainfall.
The Level 3 mandatory restrictions are the least restrictive level. If the water situation worsens, the town could be forced to go to tougher restrictions.
Branch said voluntary restrictions had helped some but not enough as lake levels are dropping an inch or more a day.
Currently, the Landis Water Treatment plant is processing 850,000 to 950,000 gallons daily. China Grove is using about 300,000 gallons a day. China Grove gets about half of its water from wells.
Because China Grove is a major user of Landis water, the town has no choice but to comply with the restrictions, said China Grove Mayor Joseph Sloop.
“With no rain in the seven day forecast, we want to be cautious of this situation,” said Landis Mayor Fred Steen.
Steen and Branch said that several rain showers which hit the Concord and Statesville areas during the summer missed southern Rowan.
Facing a third consecutive year of drought, the lake levels are lower at this time than in previous years.
Branch said last year in late September and early October, Lake Wright dropped to 5 feet below full and Lake Corriher was down about 4 feet.
Currently, Lake Corriher is 6 feet below full, and Like Wright is 7 feet below full.
Those caught breaking the mandatory restrictions face a fine and possible jail time.
The Landis ordinance calls for a $50 fine and up to 30 days in jail.
Sloop said residents are watching carefully.
Several residents called him last week, he said, to point out that the town was breaking the voluntary restrictions by watering a ballfield on North Bostian Street.
Following the calls, various town departments were told to stop outside watering.
The mandatory restrictions are aimed a reducing water usage by about 20 percent for large users.
Additional restrictions include:
- Filling of pools is prohibited.
- Large-scale users must reduce daily water use by whatever means available.
- Commercial and industrial water customers shall prepare plans detailing measures they will take to reduce daily use. Such plans must be completed in 10 days.
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