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Wilson Asks Residents, Industry to Restrict Water Usage

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WILSON — Water restrictions have plagued many North Carolina communities since the summer heat wave hit. Now, theCity of Wilsonis asking its community and industrial residents to voluntarily cut back on how much water they use.

The city's secondary water source, Lake Wilson, is five feet below normal -- the lowest level in six years. The lake level is so low, the city stopped using it for fresh water two weeks ago.

Charles Pittman, deputy city manager, says there were two reasons to consider.

"First, the quality of the water begins to become a problem, but second, also, is the wildlife in it and so forth. You have to take care of that as well," says Pittman.

City leaders say several days of rain would help the water shortage. If conditions stay dry over the next two weeks, Wilson could be forced to impose mandatory water restrictions.

Officials say that is a good possibility since dry weather usually comes with cool conditions.

"We are headed into the September, October months. Those two months are not generally all that kind in the amount of rain that you get," says Pittman.

In 1993 when voluntary restrictions were placed, residents cut back 10 percent of their water usage.

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