After two-and-half-days of stringent, mandatory water restrictions that forced many businesses and industries across the city to close their operations, Mebane has revised and reduced those restrictions earlier Friday afternoon.
The Code Red requirements – which allowed only grocery stores, pharmacies, and healthcare facilities to operate – has been removed, and “Stage 1” standards, of voluntary conservation, have been substituted in their place.
Mebane reports that the Graham-Mebane Water Treatment Plant, which had been submerged under six feet of water after Tropical Storm Chantal, is now “partially operational.”
According to the city, “Water production is significantly increasing quicker than originally estimated.” The city added, however, that “this continues to be a multi-day process to restore normal operations for Mebane. During this period, discoloration of water may occur, but it remains safe for use. Graham continues to receive water from Burlington, while Mebane is prioritized in the plant’s production.s”
Here’s the city’s description of acceptable residential conservation measures under the current, Stage 1 standards:
- Use shower for bathing rather than bathtub and limit shower to no more than four minutes.
- Limit flushing of toilets by multiple uses.
- Do not leave faucets running while brushing teeth, shaving, or rinsing dishes.
- Limit use of clothes washers and dishwashers and when used, operate fully loaded.
- Limit lawn water to that which is necessary for plants to survive.
- Water shrubbery the minimum required, reusing household water when possible.
- Limit car washing to the minimum.
- Do not wash down the outside areas such as sidewalks, patios, etc.
- Install water flow restrictive devices in shower heads.
- Use disposable and biodegradable dishes.
- Install water saving devices such as water filled plastic bottles or commercial units in toilet tanks.
- Limit hours of operation of water-cooled air conditioners.
The city says that municipal officials and city police will actively enforce these conservation measures.
According to city officials, this new voluntary conservation standard will remain in place over the weekend (unless an emergency develops), with a review of the city’s water usage status to be reconsidered early next week.
