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Commissioners relax water restrictions

5 March 2008 — Johnston County Commissioners took a look outside the courthouse at the Neuse River Monday morning and thumbed their nose at the governor’s threats over the drought.

While reviewing water conservation authorities and restrictions, they agreed to allow hand-held hose watering of shrubs, along with drip irrigation and soaking hoses for shrubs. And not just on weekends, but every day of the week.

That went contrary to the advice of Tim Broome, the county’s Director of Public Utilities. Mr. Broome had last week agreed that the commissioners should recommend drip irrigation and soaking hoses, but reconsidered over the weekend that it would be unfair to neighbors who operated irrigation systems, which remain a not permitted use.

Mr. Broome went on to say that the volume of water consumed by irrigation threatens even the county’s new expanded capacity for water treatment, and he said even after the drought is over and water supplies up to capacity, he would recommend that irrigation be restricted to every other day.

Commissioner Wade Stewart brought up the issue, first complaining that with Raleigh issuing declarations, he was confused over what was permitted in Johnston County. He later complained that apparently the Neuse River had plenty of water for the county, but we are telling people they have to conserve.

Several commissioners related the requests of nurserymen to be allowed the drip irrigation and soaking hoses for their business, particularly for shrubbery for new homes.

During the commissioners’ retreat last Friday, Mr. Broome spoke on the county’s water supply and related that they currently had plenty of water.

County Manager Rick Hester related that the county had only tightened water restrictions last October when the governor’s office had complained that the county was not doing enough to urge water conservation and threatened to use emergency powers to force the county to change their policies.

Commissioner DeVan Barbour proposed the change, and all voted in favor except Commissioner Tony Braswell.

Mr. Barbour added that if the flow released down the Neuse fell below 119 million gallons per day, which the county must not draw below, and if the plant capacity is exceeded, the restrictions will immediately go back on, and the commissioners will review the usage monthly.

Triangle J Council of Governments is seeking some uniformity for the Triangle Region, and some recommendations are expected in the next 60 days.

In other business, the commissioners re-appointed Allen Wellons to the Economic Development Commission, along with Wilson’s Mills Mayor Peter Wilson.

John Bullock Jr. and Edwin Ray Hines were appointed to the airport authority.

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