Upstate drought: York Co. residents asked to conserve water

The South Carolina Drought Response Committee has upgraded the drought status to Stage 1 (or “incipient drought”) for 28 counties, including York, citing low levels of rainfall across the state.

The city of Rock Hill has also declared drought conditions and is asking city water customers to voluntarily reduce water usage. A release says the city is aiming for an overall system reduction of 3 to 5 percent.

Among the steps residents are being asked to take include reducing the use of sprinklers in favor of “low-volume, drip irrigation and handheld watering,” and watering no more than two days a week.

Drivers are asked to use car washes that use recycled water instead of washing their cars at home.

Residents are also asked to reduce washing of “hard surface areas” like driveways or sidewalks, and washing buildings for “purposes other than immediate fire protection.”

City and state officials will continue to monitor water levels and update drought conditions as needed. Further actions will be announced if necessary.

For more tips and guidelines, visit www.irrigation.org.