The Chatham County Utilities Department has announced “danger level” water restrictions will take effect in northeastern Chatham County on Monday.

Under the mandatory restrictions, nearly all uses of county water for lawns, grasses, groundcovers, landscaping, pools and car washes are banned until further notice.
Water customers violating restrictions will not receive a warning before penalties are issued, and first-time offenders will be fined $250. The second offense carries a fine of $500. The utility department will shut off water service for a third violation.

Those using 100 percent reclaimed or reused water, pond water, rain water and well water or other non-county water are exempt from these restrictions.

According to county officials, Jordan Lake is four feet below its normal level. On September 11, Chatham County was classified by the U.S. Drought Monitor as having extreme drought conditions, just below the highest level of exceptional drought conditions.

For more information regarding water restrictions and conservation, visit www.chathamnc.org/Index.aspx?page=485 or call 542-8270.