Monroe enters Stage 2 drought; water restrictions take effect

MONROE, N.C. — City water users in Monroe can no longer wash their cars at home or fill up swimming pools.

The city just entered Stage 2 drought conditions, which makes several restrictions mandatory instead of voluntary.

Under Stage 2 mandatory water restrictions:

• Customers can no longer wash their cars at home but can utilize commercial car washes.
• Washing driveways, streets, sidewalks, and buildings is also not allowed.
• Customers can’t top off swimming pools and decorative foundations.

Automatic irrigation, sprinkler watering, and hose watering are allowed but only from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. or 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

People who don’t follow the rules will get a warning, then civil penalties starting at $100.

“We’re not trying to change people’s lifestyles,” said Jay Voyles, the department general manager of Energy Services and Water Resources. “We’re just trying to cut out unnecessary water usage, and it’s really just as simple as that.”

Jay Voyles with the city of Monroe said they’re doing all they can to maintain reservoirs.

In May, the city started pumping 2 million gallons of water a day from Rock Quarry Lake to replenish the city’s supply through Lake Lee.

Voyles said that it helped maintain the supply until now.

“The goal this whole time has been to send as much water to Lake Twitty as possible because that’s where our water treatment plant is located,” Voyles said. “More water in that reservoir means we are in a better position overall and have better water quality.”

If conditions don’t improve, the city could move to Stage 2A drought, which would mean a 5% rate increase for water customers.

It would be a tool to urge people to conserve and pay for external water sources.

Rick Hudson took his truck through Solar Shine Express Car Wash off U.S. Highway 74 on Tuesday. It remains open because it conserves water.

Hudson said he’s also doing his part at home by not watering his lawn.

“I’m on a well,” he said. “I try to conserve water anyway, and it’s easy to just not think about it.”

To report a suspected violation, contact: Communications@monroenc.org.

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