MANDATORY OUTDOOR WATER USE RESTRICTIONS REMAIN IN EFFECT FOR ALL IREDELL WATER CUSTOMERS

Despite the recent rainfall, Iredell Water Corporation's Stage II Mandatory Outdoor Water Use Restrictions issued in April REMAIN IN EFFECT until further notice.

While the rain has been welcome and beneficial, drought conditions did not develop overnight and will not disappear overnight. It took several months of below-normal rainfall to create the current conditions, and it will likely take several weeks of consistent rainfall before drought impacts are significantly reduced.

One of the most common questions we have received this week is whether the recent rainfall has ended the drought. While the rain has certainly helped, drought conditions are determined by more than just a few days of rainfall. Factors such as groundwater levels, stream flows, soil moisture, rainfall deficits, and long-term weather patterns are all considered when evaluating drought conditions and water supply impacts.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, Extreme Drought (D3) conditions continue to impact the northern portion of Iredell County, which encompasses a significant part of Iredell Water's service area. Sustained rainfall over a longer period is necessary before drought conditions can meaningfully improve and restrictions can be reduced across our service area.

The restrictions were implemented to reduce overall water demand by approximately 10 percent and help protect water supplies, system reliability, and drought resiliency. Thanks to the cooperation of our customers, water usage has declined compared to typical seasonal demand. We appreciate everyone's efforts to conserve water during these challenging conditions.

If the current pattern of regular rainfall continues over the coming weeks, Iredell Water may be able to reduce restrictions to voluntary conservation measures. However, if conditions become drier again, additional restrictions could become necessary. Our goal is to avoid repeatedly changing restriction levels, which can create confusion for customers and reduce the effectiveness of conservation efforts.

ALL IREDELL WATER CORPORATION CUSTOMERS REMAIN SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING RESTRICTIONS

Outdoor water use is significantly limited, and customers are encouraged to continue practicing water conservation indoors as well.

Lawn Irrigation

Lawn irrigation is restricted to one overnight watering period per week based on an odd/even address schedule. No daytime watering is permitted.

Irrigation Schedule:

• Odd-numbered addresses: Saturday, 8:00 PM to Sunday, 8:00 AM
  • Even-numbered and unnumbered addresses: Sunday, 8:00 PM to Monday, 8:00 AM

Prohibited Uses

The following non-essential uses of potable water are prohibited:

• Washing driveways, sidewalks, patios, parking lots, buildings, and other outdoor surfaces
  • Residential vehicle washing
  • Bulk filling of swimming pools
  • Operating ornamental fountains or ponds not required to sustain aquatic life
  • Using potable water for dust control or construction purposes
  • Flushing hydrants or water mains except as necessary for public safety, water quality, or regulatory compliance

Permitted Uses

The following uses remain permitted:

• Hand watering of plants, flowers, shrubs, and gardens
  • Drip irrigation systems
  • Normal indoor residential and commercial water use
  • Commercial car washes where applicable
  • Topping off or filling swimming pools through an active residential or commercial metered service connection

Additional Water Conservation Tips

Customers are encouraged to:

• Repair all known leaks promptly
  • Water lawns and landscaping only as necessary for plant survival following the above schedule
  • Avoid running faucets unnecessarily while shaving or washing dishes
  • Operate dishwashers and washing machines only with full loads
  • Take shorter showers
  • Reuse water when practical for landscaping and plants
  • Use hoses equipped with shut-off nozzles
  • Limit operation of water-cooled equipment where applicable

Stay Informed

Customers are encouraged to stay informed of any future changes to water restrictions by signing up for news and alerts through Iredell Water's website or the customer portal. Our website platform will be updated as conditions change and will be the primary source for official restriction updates and customer notifications.

Website: https://iredellwater.com

Customers who are enrolled in the customer portal and have a valid email address on file may also receive important updates regarding water restrictions, conservation measures, service announcements, and other important utility information.

Customer Portal: https://iredell.utilitybillingsystem.us

Iredell Water appreciates the cooperation and support of our customers during this drought. We are hopeful that the recent rainfall pattern continues and brings additional relief to our area.

To help explain the current drought conditions and why meaningful recovery takes time, meteorologist Brad Panovich recently provided an excellent overview:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1btx32cZ8E/

Iredell Water Corporation is a nonprofit, member-owned water utility serving residents and businesses throughout northern and eastern Iredell County.