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Enclosure <br /> <br />Martinsville <br /> <br />Date: November 19, 2002 <br />To: Earl B. Reynolds, Jr., City Manager <br />From: John H. Dyches, Director of Water Resources <br /> <br />Subject: Water Supply Status <br /> <br />On August 27, City Council enacted voluntary water restrictions for the City of Martinsville. <br />Three days later, Governor Warner issued Executive Order 33 establishing restrictions <br />throughout most of the State. On November 12, the restrictions in Executive Order 33 that <br />affected our area were suspended. <br /> <br />While the dual restrictions were in place, there was some confusion because the local and State <br />restrictions were slightly different. Now, with the State restrictions gone, we should reexamine <br />the City's voluntary restrictions to determine if they should continue and, if so, what revisions <br />might be appropriate. <br /> <br />As of today, the Reservoir level is 6.8' below the spillway, having gained about two and a half <br />feet since the lowest level in late October. The City's voluntary restrictions are to be <br />automatically lifted when the level rises above 6.0' below the spillway. However, I have noted <br />on several occasions that various factors should be considered to determine the need for water <br />restrictions. Now, considering the time Of year and ~suming no~ Precipitation thro~gh the <br />next several months, I recommend that the City's voluntary restrictions also be rescinded. If <br />restrictions must be reestablished later, they should be revised to more closely parallel the recent <br />State requirements to avoid poss~le conflict. More likely, State restrictions would later be <br />reestablished, if needed, making local restrictions unnecessary. <br /> <br />As a practical matter, most of the current restrictions (lawns, shrubbery, gardens, pools, etc.) <br />probably do not result in significant water savings this time of year anyway. Most inquiries have <br />been in regard to home vehicle washing, which does not require a large amount of water so long <br />as a proper nozzle is used. <br /> <br />Most citizens have consciously made an effort to conserve over the past several months and <br />many have called seeking clarification and advice regarding restrictions. Their cooperation and <br />interest were greatly appreciate& Hopefully, it will not be necessary to again inconvenience our <br />citizens with further restrictions anytime soon. <br /> <br />55 West Church Street RO. Box 1112 Martinsville, VA 24114-1112 276-656~5180 <br /> www.ci.martinsville.va.us <br /> <br /> <br />