news-record.com

GREENSBORO — As Guilford County — and most of the state — slipped into the worst category of drought this week, cities are getting serious about cracking down on water-use violations.

The city of Greensboro this week tightened its water restrictions, eliminating all sprinkling and driveway car-washing as of this coming Tuesday.

Now, it's planning to step up patrols with additional manpower to make sure the new rules stick.

It's not like they haven't been catching people already. More than 500 homes and businesses have been cited since the restrictions took effect in late August.

Allan Williams, director of the city water resources department, said it's crucial that people reduce water use.

"I would hope people are gradually getting it," he said. "Maybe my grass isn't that important."

Lavelle Donnell of the city water department said workers are out every day, including weekends, to check for violations.

As the new rules take effect, more people will be patrolling, she said.

Their efforts have uncovered plenty of water scofflaws.

"The amount of citations that we've issued is pretty huge," she said.

The violations haven't slowed significantly since the mandatory rules started in August. More than 100 violations have been found just since Sept. 24.

Williams said that although enforcement is important, it won't solve water issues.

"You can't enforce your way into that," he said. "You have to educate your way."

Still, some people will ignore the need to reduce consumption, he said. Those are the ones city workers need to bust, he said.

Greensboro isn't alone in fighting to cut water use. Charlotte, Durham and Raleigh have restrictions in place.

High Point has voluntary measures but could shift to a mandatory approach.

The state's drought advisory council announced Thursday that most of the state is now in an "exceptional" drought, the worst of four drought categories.

The new category includes a huge swath across the center of the state, along with a slice of the mountains.

All North Carolina now is in some level of drought, and most of the state is in one of the worst two categories.

The city's new level of water restrictions prohibit sprinkling, unless the water comes from a well. Watering with a hose or can is allowed.

Washing your car is prohibited at home, but commercial car washes are allowed to operate.

Contact Jason Hardin at 373-7021 or at jhardin@news-record.com