Water Restrictions

August 27, 2018

Conservation Plan

In order to be better prepared in the event of a drought, water treatment problems, major catastrophe to distribution lines or supply tanks, or the inability to resupply the water plant with raw water from the Yadkin River or our raw water lakes, Davidson Water, Inc. has developed a water conservation plan. Davidson Water, Inc. has fourteen distinct zones and may ask all or just particular zones to comply with its conservation plan.

The Yadkin River has an abundant water supply, but is not immune to a prolonged drought. Davidson Water, Inc. has emergency interconnects with Winston-Salem, Lexington, Thomasville, High Point, Archdale and Handy Sanitary District, which could help supply water during most emergencies, except drought, which would affect most water utilities in the basin.

W Kerr Scott Dam is a manmade lake located upstream on the Yadkin River. It is operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers, primarily for the purpose of flood control and water supply. A minimum release is required year round, which helps during drought conditions.

Davidson Water, Inc. has a 27 million gallon a day water plant located on the Yadkin River. The average daily demand on our system is 9.37 million gallons a day, with summertime use as high as 12.7 million gallons a day. Davidson Water Inc.'s system is basically residential with very little demand from industry. When water demand increases in the summertime it is due primarily to watering lawns & gardens, swimming pools and increased washing of vehicles.

Water Shortage Response Procedure

All municipalities or water companies purchasing water from Davidson Water, Inc.'s water system will, at a minimum, adopt and enforce water use reduction measures contained in this plan as a condition of water sales. When each threshold established in this plan is reached the Board of Directors, or an agent designated by the Board, shall declare a water shortage and institute the provisions of this plan. Upon each declaration, a press release will be forwarded to local media outlets. Notice will also be printed on water bills, email notification will be utilized, and door hangers will be used as needed.

Year-Round Water Conservation Policy

Davidson Water, Inc. encourages all member supplied water users to use water efficiently at all times. Our Water Plant Superintendent will monitor regional water resource conditions through the North Carolina Drought Monitor at www.ncwater.org/drought/ . When impending drought conditions are indicated, monitoring of water demand and available supply will increase, with findings reported to the General Manager.

Phase I: Voluntary Conservation

When weekly demand reaches 80% of treatment capacity (an average of 21.6 mgd over any 7-day period) or any of the conditions listed, we will ask our membership to voluntarily conserve water. Other factors to trigger restrictions may include a 7-day average flow in the Yadkin River below 400 cfps or storage capacity of lakes below 85%.

Recommendations for Voluntary Water Conservation

• Use showers for bathing and limit to four minutes.
• Limit toilet flushing by multiple usage when possible.
• Do not leave faucets running while shaving, rinsing dishes, or brushing teeth.
• Limit use of clothes washers and dishwashers. If used, they should be fully loaded.
• Limit lawn watering to that which is necessary for plant survival.
• Water shrubbery the minimum required.
• Limit washing of vehicles.
• Do not wash down outside areas such as sidewalks, patios, and driveways.
• Use disposable and biodegradable dishes.
• Install water saving devices in toilets and showers.
• Delay landscape work until water shortage has ended.

Phase II: Mandatory Conservation

When water demand reaches 85% of treatment capacity (an average of 22.95 mgd over any 7-day period). Along with voluntary conservation measures, we will limit membership to one hour of outdoor watering between the hours of 7:00 AM–9:00 AM or 7:00 PM–9:00 PM on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Other triggers may include river flow below 350 cfps or lake storage capacity below 80%.

Phase III: Mandatory Conservation

When water demand reaches 90% of treatment capacity (an average of 24.30 mgd over any 7-day period). Along with voluntary conservation measures, we will limit membership to one hour of outdoor watering by handheld garden hose only, between 7:00 AM–9:00 AM or 7:00 PM–9:00 PM on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Other triggers may include river flow below 300 cfps or lake storage capacity below 75%. Additionally, the following will be enforced:

No Water Shall Be Used for the Following Purposes

• To fill new or used swimming pools or ornamental fountains.
• To wash any vehicles, except at a commercial car wash.
• To wash down driveways, patios, sidewalks, or other outside areas or for dust control.
• To serve drinking water in restaurants, except by request.
• Use of fire hydrants for firefighting only.
• To use water for unnecessary purposes.

Phase IV: Emergency Conservation

Phase IV would be implemented when a serious water shortage exists or when the water supply system is unable to meet demand. No outside use of water, except emergency use involving fire or accident. Other triggers may include a 7-day average flow in the Yadkin River below 250 cfps, lake storage capacity below 60%, or weekly demand reaching 95% of treatment capacity. As water conditions improve, the same triggers used to reduce water use will be utilized to reverse implementation.

Water Loss Reduction Program

Davidson Water, Inc. monitors our unaccounted for water loss on a monthly basis. We also have a SCADA system to monitor pump run times and tank levels, which can help in determining a leak in the system. We monitor 24/7.

Water Use Efficiency Program

Davidson Water, Inc. currently has a conservation rate schedule. The high use bracket has the highest cost in order to encourage conservation. We are currently metering all of our water users. Our current water rates can be viewed on the Rates page.

Public Education and Outreach Program

We make use of our website as well as our CCR report and periodically mail newsletters to our customers in order to educate them on the benefits of conservation. We are members of the Yadkin-Pee Dee Water Management Group (YPDWMG), developed through a collaborative effort by 18 governmental, public water utility, and reservoir operator parties providing service within the Yadkin-Pee Dee basin.

Notification and Authority

The Davidson Water, Inc. Board of Directors approves going to each stage of our water shortage response plan. Management is responsible for enforcement and notification to users. The Board has given the General Manager — and in his/her absence the VP of Construction & Engineering or VP of Administration — the authority to enact the Conservation Plan without Board approval if the situation dictates.

All municipalities or water companies purchasing water from Davidson Water, Inc. will at a minimum adopt and enforce these measures.

Phase I: Voluntary

• Door Hanger — Giving notice of concern

Phase II: Mandatory

• Door Hanger — Giving notice of violation
• Letter Mailed — Giving notice of second violation and request to respond
• Letter Mailed — Giving notice of third violation and date of disconnection of water service
• Disconnect water service with a service charge required to reconnect — On the fourth violation

Phase III: Mandatory

• Door Hanger — Giving notice of violation
• Letter Mailed — Giving notice of second violation
• Disconnect water service with a service charge required to reconnect — On the third violation

Phase IV: Emergency

• Door Hanger — Giving notice of violation
• Registered letter — Giving notice of second violation with requirement to respond
• If no response, disconnect water service with a service charge required to reconnect

Public Comment and Notification of Plan

Copy of plan is on our website. Notification of update will be printed on bills.

Revision

Management will take the plan to the Board of Directors at least every five years for review, and more often if necessary. Changes in reservoir capacity, plant capacity, flow patterns of the river, or significant usage change would necessitate a review. Implementation of Phase IV Emergency would also require a review of the plan.

Variance Protocols

Requests for variance should be made in written form with name, address, and phone number included if possible. Management will take all variance requests to the Board of Directors for approval, but management at its own discretion may allow for variance until the Board meets. Health factors and water used for livelihood may be determining factors.

Effectiveness

Comparison of records of water plant production measuring output for the same 30-day time frame from the previous year, taking into consideration population growth. We would also look at the percentage of water reduction produced at the plant on a daily basis, along with the actual gallon reduction.