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Aug 28, 2007 5:35 pm US/Eastern
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Westminster Orders Water Restrictions
by Alex DeMetrick
WESTMINSTER, Md. (WJZ/AP) ―
With the reservoir dropping and wells drying up, 30,000 people in Carroll County are being ordered to cut back on water usage. As
Alex Demetrick reports, the order covers all of the city of Westminster, as well as those outside city limits who use municipal water.
You'll now have to ask for water at Harry's and every other restaurant in the Carroll County town of Westminster because water restrictions are back.
"We have now met the standards requiring me to sign an order to go to mandatory water restrictions," said Mayor Thomas Ferguson.
A summer of little rain has left streams running at low levels and that in turn has reduced the water supply to Westminster's reservoir.
Ducks now walk where they once swam in a lake that is considered the town's water of last resort because wells are also drying up.
2002 was the drought year all of Maryland's reservoirs suffered and the entire state was ordered to cut back. This time, Westminster is having to go it alone.
The goal is a 10-15% reduction on the three million gallons being consumed every day.
Westminster plans to first issue warnings to those who violate the ban, followed by fines and even disconnection from the water system for those who continue to ignore the order.
For tips on how to conserve water, click here.
(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)