Conservation News
S.C. declares drought 'extreme' in 39 counties - State requests, but doesn't require, water conservation
By Joey Holleman
State officials declared an extreme drought for the first time in state history Wednesday, but did not order mandatory water conservation measures in the 39 counties affected.
Instead, they hope the public will respond to an "ask, don't tell" policy to keep the state's water supply from running dry by the end of the year.
Extreme drought is the worst of the four state classifications.
Gov. Jim Hodges, accepting the state drought response committee's recommendation, called for voluntary conservation measures in the 39 of South Carolina's 46 counties. That includes all of the state except the southern coastal plain.
"We believe local efforts to try to curtail water use will be sufficient," Hodges said. "If that's not enough, we'll revisit it."
The call for conservation measures came one day before state officials planned to ask North Carolina water managers to ensure a greater flow from upstream dams on the Pee Dee River. Regulations allow some North Carolina dams to cut off all water releases on Sept. 15, which could cripple the water supplies of 500,000 people in the Grand Strand area.
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