News and Information

LEVEL 2 WATER RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 1, 2026

Town of Sawmills Implements Mandatory Water Restrictions Following Basin-Wide Drought Declaration

May 1, 2026: Duke Energy announced that due to continuing dry conditions in the Catawba-Wateree Basin, Low Inflow Protocol (LIP) Stage 2 was declared.

In response to worsening drought conditions across the Catawba-Wateree Basin, the Town of Sawmills is implementing mandatory water use restrictions effective immediately, in coordination with regional water authorities and Duke Energy.

As a result of this declaration, all Public Water Supply providers within the basin—including the Town of Sawmills—are required to enact mandatory conservation measures to preserve water supply and maintain essential services. The goal of the mandatory conservation measures is to reduce water usage by 10%.

Following provisions as outlined in the Town of Sawmills Water Shortage Response Plan, effective immediately, the following Level 2 restrictions are in place:

• All voluntary practices listed in Level I restrictions shall be mandatory unless stricter measures are indicated in this section.
• Residents will be allowed to use water for outdoor activities on Wednesday and Saturday only. They may only use handheld hoses with spring loaded nozzles. Professional and commercial landscaping, nursey and pressure washing businesses may resume operations using handheld hoses with spring loaded nozzles.
• Planting of new ornamental plants or seeding of lawns shall be deferred until the water emergency no longer exists.
• Use of water for washing down exterior areas, including, but not limited to, buildings, driveways, and/or parking lots, shall be prohibited.
• Residential washing of vehicles is prohibited.
• Public commercial washing structures including those providing handheld washing nozzles may continue operation. However, the facility owner/operator shall ensure that waste of water does not occur.
• Restaurants and other food serving establishments shall serve water to patrons only at the request of the patron(s).
• Commercial, industrial and construction operations shall eliminate all possible waste of water.

Any practice listed above may be modified or additional practices added at the discretion of the Town Council.

SAWMILLS WATER SHORTAGE RESPONSE PLAN- CLICK HERE

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Please go to the following website for help with any damages to your home or property: https://www.fema.gov/assistance/individual. 

If you have any questions, please contact: 

Curt Willis 
Code Enforcement Manager
Emergency Management Planner
Phone: 828.485.4263 
Mobile: 828.455.8021  
www.wpcog.org