Area enters Stage 4 Drought Emergency conditions, BWWB to up surcharges

With the first few days of November bringing in record high temperatures, and little rain in the forecast, the Birmingham Water Works Board has moved further into its drought management plan.

On Friday, the BWWB increased the ranking to a Stage 4 "Extreme Drought Emergency," urging residents to continue conserving water as much as possible.

In the time since the Stage 3 warning was issued, the BWWB reported that area usage had dropped from 115 million gallons per day to 105 million gallons per day, a significant reduction according to BWWB officials.

"[The reduction] shows that the customers of the Birmingham Water Works are supportive of the message to reduce their water usage," assistant general manager Darryl Jones said in a press release.

However, Jones went on to say that the board is hoping to reduce usage by an additional 5 percent, and emphasized that the community needs to continue to conserve water as much as possible.

As of Nov. 3, the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport had not received measurable rainfall for 46 consecutive days, according to the National Weather Service. Rainfall for the Birmingham area year to date is about 9 inches below normal, coming in at 35.85 inches, compared to normal rainfall of 44.83 inches, the weather service said.

The drought is even worse in Tuscaloosa (11.2 inches below normal), Troy (11.25 inches below normal), Calera (13.69 inches below normal) and Anniston (14.89 inches below normal), according to the weather service.

The forecast as of mid-day Friday shows no rain chances until Tuesday of next week, and then the rain chance is only 10 percent Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. However, there is currently a 60 percent chance of rain expected on Friday, Nov. 11.

The release explained that with dry conditions expected to continue, and the depleted state of Lake Purdy, a major Birmingham water source, that conservation is key.

With the Stage 4 declaration, the BWWB will put into effect a 400 percent surcharge on residential users who use more than 1,200 cubic feet or 8,977 gallons of water. The previous surcharge during Stage 3 was 200 percent. The surcharge will be assessed starting Dec. 4.

The average residential usage is typically closer to 1,000 cubic feet or 7,500 gallons, according to BWWB, but that even those under the surcharge level should aim to reduce usage.

Outdoor watering must be limited to one day per week, and residents with even numbered addresses should only water on Mondays, and those with odd numbered addresses on Fridays. No watering should take place between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Stage 4 also says there should be no washing of vehicles other than at commercial car washes, Fire Hydrants are only to be used in emergency situations and golf courses should limit watering to certain days of the week for tees and greens only.

The BWWB also requested that cities invoke their various drought ordinances, if they have not already done so.

For the complete drought management guide from the BWWB, as well as a list of exemptions for watering restrictions, visit bwwb.org/droughttips.