Homes Fort Mill SC

The Tega Cay City Council decided to delay changing the water restriction ordinance until they meet to discuss it again on October 20th.

Right now Tega Cay is still on a one day a week lawn watering restriction. My latest post on Oct 1 reported Rock Hill, Fort Mill and York County have temporarily eased water restrictions by allowing residents to water their lawns 2 days a week until November 30th.

Jonathan Allen of the Fort Mill Times reported Wednesday…

At a special meeting held Wednesday, Oct. 1, city council members discussed following Rock Hill’s lead, but tabled the issue because they couldn’t decide if the ordinance governing the restrictions allows enough wiggle room to change them without changing the ordinance. The council plans to reopen discussion on the restrictions at its next regular meeting Monday, Oct. 20.

Jonathan further reported…

Mayor Bob Runde, who opposed allowing once a week watering last spring, again voiced objections to allowing more water usage during a persistent, severe drought. He also said he didn’t believe the city could go to a modified Stage 2 drought without changing the ordinance, which would require two council votes.

I reported on September 18th the US Drought Monitor run by the University of Nebraska has just changed our rating from severe to moderate. I checked the drought monitor today and we have moved to “abnormally dry”. In addition the Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group (CW-DMAG) published a news release on September 26th, 2008 The CW DMAG supports limited, temporary relaxation of outdoor water use restrictions. I am wondering where Mayor Runde is getting his information that we are still in a severe drought. Abnormally dry yes but severe no.

So if you have already aerated and seeded your lawn for the annual fall planting season lets hope it keeps raining to maximize your fall planting investment. If you have not planted yet, you may want to reconsider or adjust your timing. If the city decides to change the water restriction ordinance on the 20th, the change will probably be similar to the York County, Rock Hill, and Fort Mill decision that limits the ease of water restriction only until November 30th. Approx one month of watering two days a week is not a whole lot of time to water lawns for fall seeding.

Here are my links to the articles or data mention in this post

CW-DMAG September 26th News Release
Jonathan Allen’s Fort Mill Times Article
US Drought Monitor Website

Update Jan 2009 – Hereis the updates water restrictions for Tega Cay SC

Drought Restrictions
All residents (TCWS and TCUD customers) can
conduct all water activities (irrigation of lawns and
flower beds, washing cars, pressure washing, etc.)
during the 24- hour period on their approved days
only.

Odd Numbered Addresses- Tuesdays & Saturdays

Even Numbered Addresses- Thursdays & Sundays

Customers are still encouraged to use drip hoses
and hand-held watering devices.  When irrigating,
run-off is strictly prohibited.