After frigid temperatures, municipalities across the county are fighting to conserve water after leaks from pipes bursting over the past weekend.
The Town of Alto has been no exception, with Mayor P.J. Huggins signing an emergency administrative order to stop industries from pulling water.
The order, signed on Wednesday afternoon, allows Huggins to stop industries from pulling water from the town’s reservoir.
“She allowed a two-hour window this morning back to each of the industries because we were able to pull some water from Demorest yesterday evening and last night. We had recovered a little bit,” said Lisa Turner, Alto Financial Officer.
“Our water tanks, they were both almost empty. That was caused by a lot of leaks. That started, basically, Christmas Eve and went through yesterday. We kept trying to find the leaks and keep the residents (with) water,” Huggins said. “Our goal, hopefully by (Friday), is to lift the ban. The goal is not to run out of water. I already have a plan B for water trucks to come in and give us water.”
With the next week promising higher temperatures, leaks should not be a concern. Alto has seven freshwater wells, and although these wells normally keep up with usage, the town occasionally purchases water from Demorest and Banks County.
Water for residents has not been suspended during this order and should soon return to normal usage for industries.