Water Restrictions Tighten for Middle Tennessee Town

An extreme drought this summer is leading to even tighter water restrictions in parts of Middle Tennessee. With precipitation levels at their lowest point in years and temperatures soaring far beyond what is normal for the area, what is normally a lush green southern area is quickly being turned into a dead and barren landscape.

Lawns and gardens that are normally green and full of foliage announce the water shortage louder than anyone's words could with their dry crunchy brown leaves due to a lack of water. Water restrictions have been placed on much of the area, with the individual counties being responsible for setting their own limitations on water use dependent on the circumstances for the individual county. Some of the strictest restrictions have been placed on Macon County, Tennessee. The town of Lafayette, located within Macon County, has been very hard hit with restrictions, and the citizens there are definitely beginning to feel the pinch.

The first set of restrictions imposed in Lafayette included a $150 fine for watering lawns, filling swimming pools, or washing cars at home, and a second offense of the water restrictions could cause the water meter to be pulled from a residence until the restrictions were lifted. They also asked that residents limit their showers to 5 minutes per day, and flush their toilets only as necessary. Residents went about their normal affairs with the first set of restrictions in place, praying for rain and simply biding their time until restrictions were lifted.

However, as more time has passed with little to no rainfall the restrictions on water usage in the area have tightened even more. The newest restrictions include a $300 fine for any resident found washing a car, filling a swimming pool, watering lawns or gardens, or watering livestock. They have limited the times that the car washes and Laundromats are open to 8 hours per day Monday through Friday. The second offense of any violation still entails the meter being pulled from the residence until restrictions are lifted. They are still calling for people to voluntarily limit their shower time, flushing of toilets and turning off the water during routing tasks such as washing dishes or brushing teeth.

The tightening restrictions make it harder and harder for residents to live out their lives and still be within the guidelines of the restrictions. The ban on watering livestock is a huge problem in what is mainly a farming community, and the restrictions on watering crops and gardens is going to have a tremendous financial impact on the community. With little to no rain in the forecast, one has to wonder how this small farming community is going to survive the drought. Throughout Middle Tennessee many communities are feeling the same pinch, and wondering how they themselves will survive if they don't see some relief from the lack of precipitation and the extreme temperatures that they are facing.