There has been a lot of stuff in the press here in the Triangle area about carwashes and the amount of water used. Of course the City of Raleigh passed Stage 2 Water Restrictions a few weeks ago and that, in and of itself is a good thing. It should have been done long ago but at least it has been done.
There are, however, some interesting loopholes in the new ordinance.
Carwash Hogwash
It seems that carwashes that are certified by the city may continue to operate. Carwashes do not have to do very much to be certified however, and the News and Observer (also known locally as the Gruesome Disturber) printed an article that most carwashes do not recycle and that they use – and flush down the drain – anywhere between 35 and 55 gallons of water per car! The rules actually allow car washes to use up to 55 gallons per car. Read the full News and Observer story, Rules for car washes require no recycling, here.
Of course this is absurd and completely disregards the needs of the vast majority of citizens.
I can wash my own car in the driveway and use only 2 or 3 gallons of water. Oh the stupidity of it all. This is just a stupid loophole in the ordinance.
This is much more than just a dribble of waste.
Large Users
Some large users consume hundreds of thousands of gallons of water a day. No restrictions have been placed on them at all.
Pepsi Cola bottle soda and just plain water taken from the Raleigh water supply uses up to 400,000 gallons of water per day while homeowners are being asked to get by on just 35 gallons per person per day.
Note: I am trying to find a link to the specific story that contains this number.
Here is a link to other stories about the drought at the N&O.
Not Happy
I am certainly not happy at all about this state of affairs. And I know many other folks that are not happy either.
Only one Raleigh City Council Person has suggested tougher restrictions up to now. That is Roger Koopman, who just happens to be the representative for my district, District B, in North Raleigh.
Get Tough on Water Usage
Of course you already knew that I would tell you what I think. Get ready – here it comes. My restrictions would include the following. These are mine and no one else’s.
- No outside water usage whatsoever. This includes commercial power washing and flushing new water mains for new subdivisions.
- No new real estate development commercial or residential.
- All buildings currently under construction cannot be certified for occupancy until the drought is over.
- No car washing of any kind by homeowners or commercial carwashes.
- All outside water faucets would have a cap soldered or welded over the opening so that they cannot be used.
- All inside water taps would have very low flow devices installed. Low income homeowners would be provided the devices at the expense of the largest water users.
- Water pressure would be lowered to one-half of its current value.
- Everyone must purchase at least two rain barrels and use the water collected to flush toilets. Low income homeowners would be provided barrels and installation free of charge to them – again at the expense of the largest water users.
All of these restrictions would remain in place until the drought is completely over and the lake is again completely full. Failure to comply would result in a $1000.00 fine and cutoff of service. Second failure would be $10,000.00 and 30 days in jail.