Weather/Disaster Clemson, SC Water Restrictions

[We Wash Concrete]

Len Sutton from Palmetto Home and Deck called me this morning to tell me the bad news. The city of Clemson in Pickens County, SC just passed heavy water restrictions last night. This restricts all outside washing, including pressure washing.

City Council Votes To Restrict Water Use - Greenville News Story - WYFF Greenville

I'm sure Len will post with more details, but he spoke to a city council member who said all the neighboring city's and county's are considering similar restrictions and they will probably be passed within the upcoming weeks.

Carlos, Celeste, Beth, Anybody; How can we stop this from happening, or at least slow it down?

I don't understand how commercial car washs can stay in business, I didn't know of any that recycle their water around here.

[PWNC]

Micah,

I'll get a letter off today.

Celeste

[We Wash Concrete]

Thank you.

I actually do a good bit of pressure washing for one of Anderson's newly elected city council members; he's a high end home builder/designer. I will be calling him shortly.

[PWNC]

Hey Micah,

Shoot me his name and contact information if you don't mind...that way I can send him something direct and personal.

Celeste

[We Wash Concrete]

I can do one better. Here is a link to all Anderson City Council Members. There address, home phone, and cell phone is listed.

City Council Members

[newlook]

Micah,

Not only is Pickens County in a tough situation also Cherokee, Greenville, Oconee and Spartanburg counties are battling the drought.

Thank you for the contact information! It will be put to good use.

We are interested in helping out in any way that we can. I know last year was a "up and down" ride as it relates conveying the right message.

The RFW/UAMCC initiative is alive and well. If Pickens county thinks that eliminating washing is a good thing then they are wrong. The obvious benefits that the washing industry offers must be conveyed to the council.

We will write a letter explaining these benefits along with following the lead from PWNC. Celeste, how can we help? A joint letter from PWNC and the RFW/UAMC? Thoughts?

[Palmetto Home and Deck]

Thanks, Micah for getting this post up so quick this morning. I was on the way to a deck I am cleaning and sealing when a customers who's house I have scheduled to wash called me to ask if the Clemson's City Council's water restriction would effect getting her house cleaned. I was only about a block or two away from the Clemson City Hall so I stopped in to see if I could get some more information.

What a member of the city council (Rick Cotton) told me was that they realized that they were probably going to put people in landscaping, irrigation, nurseries, and pressure washing out of business. I asked why car washes were still allowed to wash cars when pressure washers would be forced to shut down. He said that car washes were more efficient with water than homeowners. I pointed out that professional pressure washers were much more efficient with water than homeowners too.

He then told me that the water restriction they imposed on Monday night was actually only the first step they are going to put in place if conditions don't improve. When they meet again in August if things are not better they are going to make total outside water restriction mandatory. That means all car washes will be shut down and absolutely no watering of grass and plants at any time. (I wonder if they will stop watering the football field in Clemson's Death Valley Stadium....any bets on that one?)

He also (like Micah said) told me that all surrounding cities and counties will be taking in the same measures as soon as their councils meet this month.

[PressureX]

Whoa. That is horrible. I really hope it doesn't spread down here to Dorchester, Charleston, and Berkeley County.

Anybody know where I could always get updates.

I am also interested in sending out a letter for the folks up in clemson.

[squirtgun]

Originally Posted by Palmetto Home and Deck

Thanks, Micah for getting this post up so quick this morning. I was on the way to a deck I am cleaning and sealing when a customers who's house I have scheduled to wash called me to ask if the Clemson's City Council's water restriction would effect getting her house cleaned. I was only about a block or two away from the Clemson City Hall so I stopped in to see if I could get some more information.

What a member of the city council (Rick Cotton) told me was that they realized that they were probably going to put people in landscaping, irrigation, nurseries, and pressure washing out of business. I asked why car washes were still allowed to wash cars when pressure washers would be forced to shut down. He said that car washes were more efficient with water than homeowners. I pointed out that professional pressure washers were much more efficient with water than homeowners too.

He then told me that the water restriction they imposed on Monday night was actually only the first step they are going to put in place if conditions don't improve. When they meet again in August if things are not better they are going to make total outside water restriction mandatory. That means all car washes will be shut down and absolutely no watering of grass and plants at any time. (I wonder if they will stop watering the football field in Clemson's Death Valley Stadium....any bets on that one?)

He also (like Micah said) told me that all surrounding cities and counties will be taking in the same measures as soon as their councils meet this month.

Len,
Outdoor watering of grass and plants should have been their 1st restriction.
Have they eliminates the washing of all city vehicles and use of water in any city owned fountains? Have they stopped homeowners washing their cars and all charity/fund raiser type car washes?
I would venture a guess of NO.
Find out if S.C has some kind of water restriction guide lines in place.See if you are exempted if you are drive that point home hard.
Having a few pics of the council members watering their lawns or washin their cars is another way to drive the point home.
Get pics of sprinklers running on city properties etc.
Nothing sits wrong with voters/tax payers more than elected officals/cities who don't follow their own rules.
Call your local news channels get them on your side now.

[newlook]

Originally Posted by PressureX

Whoa. That is horrible. I really hope it doesn't spread down here to Dorchester, Charleston, and Berkeley County.

Anybody know where I could always get updates.

I am also interested in sending out a letter for the folks up in clemson.

Pat,

There are a couple of resources for you to look at either on a weekly or monthly basis.

There are two websites powerwashing related that you can get updates:

www.reliefforwashers.com
www.pwnc.org

or

South Carolina State Climatology Office

Celeste over at PWNC has done miracles in dealing with drought related issues.

If you look at any of the sites you will be able to get an idea of what counties are in a particular restriction.

Dorchester, Charleston and Berkeley are in pretty good shape right now!

[Camelot]

It may not be much, but if there's ANYTHING I can do to help (write a letter, make a call, etc.) please let me know. I hate that you guys are feeling this pinch. I wish folks understood this industry enough to make educated decisions...aggravating.

[Beth n Rod]

Celeste and Carlos are working hard to make a difference. After what GA went through last year I'm sure Scott G has some sound advice too. To me this is a reminder that all business owners need an emergency plan for when weather effects business....drought, fire, flood, etc.

Beth

[PressureX]

Thanks Carlos.

If things go bad down here, you can find me at the beach pumping out water from the atlantic! lol.

[newlook]

Here is a sample letter that everyone can use to send down to the Council Members provided by Micah. This "sample letter" was lifted from the RFW website and can be altered to best fit any particular situation. Celeste, if you have any thoughts please fill free to dive right in.

Dear (Insert Name)

As a business owner and operator from the pressure washing industry I am writing to you today out of deep concern about the current and future water restrictions in (insert city/county). The pressure washing industry places great importance on water conservation, to the extent that as a business owner, I am keenly aware of my responsibility to conserve water during these troubling times.

Since late 2007, my business and others in our industry have experienced significant setbacks due to the ambiguous policy changes in our state as it relates to what is permitted under specific level categories. Our industry has been a victim to unfair media campaigns in which ill-informed reporters and newscasters have arbitrarily reported to the general public that pressure washing has been banned. As of a result of this, our ability to continue to work within the water conservation guidelines has been deeply hampered or stopped all together. Many of my fellow pressure washers in our state have already gone out of business due to misguided information that has been reported to the general public ~ our customers.

The pressure washing industry warrants careful consideration from local, county and state officials when deciding to implement cohesive water restriction guidelines. Contrary to what is the perception of our industry, we actually provide a conglomerate of necessary services to communities abroad i.e. health and safety issues to mold prevention.

These services help sustain and keep other businesses operational and open. Again, the negative proclivities about the pressure washing industry will ultimately have an adverse effect on several different industries, to the extent that these industries will find it cumbersome to operate and perform their business in a profitable manner.

The pressure washing industry has taken proactive steps in our attempt to re-educate the general public in our ability to still perform washing services through media outreach and public awareness. Our task is difficult at best, due to today’s perception from the public. However, our voice and commitment is one of a keen sense of direction and purpose. You as a public official can certainly recognize and understand the depth of our situation. I implore you and encourage others at city, county and state levels to seriously explore alternate means when it comes to considering further water restrictions.

Sincerely,

ABC Power Wash

[Palmetto Home and Deck]

http://www.nature.org/initiatives/fr...1_new_logo.pdf


Thanks Carlos and Celeste for all your help. Check out the link above. During all the drought we are having the Corp of Engineers have been releasing above normal amounts of water so scientist can study the habits of sturgeon down river.

I have known for a long time that the corp. releases a certain amount of water from Lake Hartwell not just for power generation, but releases an extra amount of water to maintain commercial barge traffic from Savannah up to Augusta. The corp believes they own all the water in the Savannah River water system and everyone else is at the mercy of any excess water there may be, but the corps's needs come first and foremost drought or no drought.

It would be interesting to know how much commercial boating traffic that was a prominent means of moving goods back in the 40's and 50's still depends on water flow in the Savannah River below Augusta today.

For more information, Google Savannah River navigation water flow.