Mandatory water conservation at Seymour in effect Published Sept. 20, 2007 By Robin DeMark SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- The 4th Civil Engineer Squadron is working with the City of Goldsboro to issue a mandatory water conservation plan in response to the current water shortage throughout the state that will remain in effect until further notice starting Sept. 19. According to city compliance, consumers must reduce water use immediately in order to extend existing water supplies and assure sufficient water is available to preserve public health, sanitation and fire protection services. Mandated water use reduction includes limitation of operating hours or days. All base residents, military and civilian personnel, dependents, retirees and contractors are asked to adhere to volunteer and mandatory guidelines outlined below. Base residents may see water systems on base being flushed during this notice. "Although the base is currently under mandatory water restrictions, the water system has to be flushed periodically to ensure our water quality is maintained at local and state standards," said Capt. Richard Fletcher, maintenance engineering flight chief. "Flushing the system is a necessary pre-emptive measure to ensure we maintain our water quality and prevent health risks." For additional information about water conservation, call 722-5939. For some conservation tips, see the chart s below. VOLUNTARY CONSERVATION PHASE 1. Take 5-minute showers instead of baths. 2. Do not let water run while shaving, brushing teeth and rinsing dishes. 3. Keep a bottle of chilled water in the refrigerator for drinking, so as not to run the tap to get cold water. 4. Only run dishwasher or clothes washing machine with full loads. Washing dishes by hand saves about 25 gallons (don't let tap run). 5. Inspect and repair leaky valves on faucets and toilets. 6. Install water-saving devices on toilets and showers. 7. Do not allow children to play with hose or sprinklers. 8. Limit lawn and outside plant watering to evening hours, no more than three times per week. 9. Position sprinklers to water the lawn, to avoid water spraying on pavement. 10. Avoid watering on windy days when the wind not only blows water off target, but also causes excess evaporation. 11. Know how to turn off an automatic sprinkler system in case of rain. There are automatic rain sensors available that prevent automatic sprinkler from starting if it has just rained. 12. Use an alarm clock or a timer to remind one to shut off hose-fed sprinklers that don't have timers. 13. Consider delaying the seeding or sodding of new lawns. 14. Golf courses and athletic fields shall attempt to reduce water consumption by 50 percent. 15. While waiting for water to get hot, catch running water from sink and tub faucets and use for animals to drink or to water plants. 16. Use a broom instead of water to wash down sidewalks, patios, and driveways. 17. Do not fill empty swimming pools or wading pools. 18. Do not use the toilet as a wastebasket. Put tissues and trash in a trashcan. 19. Limit toilet flushes. 20. Use disposable & biodegradable dishes where possible. 21. Be ready to catch rainfall that occurs. Place containers under drain spouts. 22. Use pistol-grip nozzles on hoses to avoid waste when watering flowers and shrubs. 23. Aerate lawns by punching holes 6 inches apart. This allows water to reach roots rather than run off surfaces. 24. Keep sprinkler heads clean to prevent uneven watering. 25. Adjust hose to simulate a gentle rain. Sprinklers that produce a fine mist waste water through evaporation. 26. Install automatic shut off devices on sprinkler systems. 27. The City will delay the implementation of landscape code requirements until the next planting season after Return-to-Normal condition. MANDATORY CONSERVATION PHASE 1. Continue all Voluntary Conservation measures. 2. Watering lawns, gardens, and plant material is allowed only one day per week. Base residents may water lawns on Saturday's at 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. on Sunday's. 3. No washing of houses, driveways, rain gutters, etc. 4. No personal or commercial vehicle washing except at commercial car washes. 5. Do not fill ornamental pools or fountains. 6. Water will not be served in restaurants except when requested by customers. (It takes water to wash the glasses too.) Restaurants should be encouraged to sell/serve bottled water to the customers. 7. No use of water from public or private hydrants for any purpose other than fire suppression or other public emergency or water utility needs. No bulk sales. 8. Do not operate water-cooled equipment that does not recycle cooling water, except when health and safety are adversely affected. 9. Golf courses and athletic fields must reduce water by 70 percent. 10. No use of water for dust control/compaction. 11. Large water users must formulate and implement a plan to reduce water by 30 percent. 12. Do not misuse or intentionally waste water. 13. Leaking water services or plumbing must be repaired within 24 hours of written notification by the City.