Greenwood CPW

On October 18, 2007, the Governor of South Carolina issued a statement encouraging all South Carolinians to voluntarily conserve water in response to the continuing drought conditions across the state. 

Greenwood CPW has a drought response plan in place and although, the water supply for Greenwood CPW, Lake Greenwood is faring better than other water supplies across the state, thus not requiring any water restrictions for the CPW service area, Greenwood CPW encourages everyone to voluntarily conserve water in support of all South Carolinians.

 

What is a drought?

Drought is a period of time with less-than-normal rainfall. No region, including South Carolina, is immune to the possibility of drought.
Droughts are naturally occurring events. It is often difficult to determine when a drought has begun or ended. The seriousness of a drought depends upon geographic location, weather patterns, soils, water use patterns, and overall water quantity. The greater the demands placed on an area's water resources, the more serious the drought. Recovery from drought may take months or sometimes years of above average precipitation.
There are different kinds of drought. A meteorological drought occurs when precipitation consistently falls short of average levels for periods of months or years. A hydrological drought occurs when the amount of water needed by crops for growth exceeds the amount available in the soil.

How can individuals reduce the impacts of drought?

Water conservation is the practice of using water resources efficiently and protecting them from pollution. Individual efforts to conserve water resources are essential. Good water conservation habits start at home:

How does drought affect individuals and homeowners?

Individuals are affected by both the rising cost of water and the increasing costs of goods and services brought on by diminishing water supplies. When a drought occurs, a limited amount of water enters a reservoir, and only a small amount can be released through the dam to generate power. This reduces the availability of low-cost hydroelectric power to consumers.
Severe droughts can mean reduced water available for home use. Using less water means people must change habits and patterns of water use, which sometimes means inconveniences. Homeowners depending on wells may find their wells going dry.
People are also affected when reduced water quality restricts use of lakes and streams for fishing, boating, and other water-related activities.

How can the effects of drought be minimized?

We cannot control drought's occurrence, location, or duration; but we can control or manage some of drought's impacts on our activities and communities. While drought cannot be forecast with any degree of accuracy, communities can anticipate the potential for drought and can develop plans to minimize its effects.

• Repair all leaky faucets and be sure they are turned off tightly when not in use.  Don't forget outside faucets!