Note: The mandatory water restrictions referenced below were lifted January 12, 2009.

The City of Salisbury issued Level Two Mandatory Water Conservation Measures late Thursday afternoon (Jan. 8) after a windstorm damaged a Duke Energy Transformer at Salisbury-Rowan Utilities River Pump Station Facility.

The mandatory water conservation efforts and restrictions currently in effect include:

• Household water shall be reutilized to the greatest extent possible for watering.
  
• Faucets shall not be left running while shaving, brushing teeth, or washing dishes.
  
• The use of washing machines and dishwashers shall be limited. These units should be operated with full loads when used.
  
• Irrigation of lawns and ornamental trees or plants shall not be done except during the hours of 9 pm – 4 am. Variances for commercial irrigation may be issued and revoked by the Utilities (SRU) management depending on the severity of the situation.
  
• Planting of new ornamental plants or trees or seeding of lawns shall be deferred until after the water emergency no longer exists.
  
• Use of water for wash down of outside areas is prohibited.
  
• Noncommercial washing of cars and other vehicles shall be prohibited except on Saturdays and Sundays. Commercial washing facilities, including those providing handheld washing nozzles, may continue normal operation. However, commercial operations shall ensure that water is not wasted.
  
• Commercial and industrial operations shall eliminate all possible wasting of water.
  
• Newly constructed or drained pools shall be filled by permit only. Fill permits shall be issued by the utility (SRU) business office and issuance of permits may be curtailed depending of the severity of the situation.

We wanted you to be aware that the College is doing its part to assist with water conservation and we strongly encourage you to follow these conservation measures at your homes.

The Student Affairs Office is requesting that students already on campus for spring semester be mindful of the measures currently in place and practice good stewardship of the water resources in their residence halls. The Facilities Department has curtailed irrigation on campus and the Dining Hall has curtailed the use of trays until the City lifts the water restrictions now in place.

The City of Salisbury is working to survey the extent of the damage and to begin necessary repairs at the River Pump Station Facility, however, officials warn that repairs could take up to two weeks to complete. For more details on these Level II Water Restrictions or for updates on repairs, visit the City’s website at www.salisburync.gov.