The Tiger

Issue date: 8/29/08 Section: News

With the waters of Lake Hartwell falling to a record low, Clemson University has transitioned into the "Severe Drought" phase of its Drought Management Plan.
During the past 12 months, the city has received 62 percent less rainfall than normal, resulting in a 23-inch deficit and threatening the Hartwell reserves where Clemson draws its potable water.
At current rainfall rates, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers predicts that the elevation of Lake Hartwell could drop below 638 feet - 22 feet below full pond - in mid-October.
Should this happen, the area will move into an "Extreme Drought" phase, resulting in additional mandatory water restrictions across the campus.
In an effort to prevent the city from having to abide by mandatory state-regulated water use restrictions, Clemson is following its own drought management strategies which will effectively combat unprecedented drought condition.
Clemson University's plan calls for a two-pronged assault of irrigation limitations and personal use reduction.
The former includes irrigating at night to minimize evaporation, delaying the planting of new vegetation until conditions improve and restricting irrigation to only maintain the existing, critical needs of area.
The University instructs individuals to reduce personal consumption by limiting the length of showers to five minutes or less, which, according to University Facilities, can save 1,000 gallons of water a year.
Other preventive measures include reducing excessive water use while brushing teeth and shaving, which has the potential to save between three and five gallons of water each minute the faucet is turned off.
University facilities will continue to support efforts by auditing meter readings, limiting the use of evaporative cooling towers and turning off the fountains at the Cooper Library pond.
Clemson's goal in this phase is to reduce consumption by 20 to 25 percent.
They hope to accomplish this through the aforementioned voluntary reductions and eliminating activities such as washing down hard-surface areas and exterior features, the flushing of drainage systems, washing vehicles and the use of fire hydrants for any purpose other than firefighting or the maintenance of water quality.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools