Environment and Conservation Commissioner Issues Mandatory Water Conservation Order for Davidson, Williamson Counties

 

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has finalized a mandatory water conservation order for Metro Nashville/Davidson County, and Williamson County, including the cities of Franklin and Brentwood.

 

“Local and state water professionals are working around the clock to preserve as much clean water as possible for our citizens,” said Governor Phil Bredesen. “This action is being taken to support the water conservation efforts that the water utilities in Davidson and Williamson counties have announced to the public. All water consumers in these areas should follow the direction of the water utilities as they work to preserve water supplies.”

 

The order was issued under the Environment and Conservation Commissioner’s emergency authority. It is the first time this authority has been used to this scale for water conservation measures.

 

“Our department is in regular contact with water utilities in Middle and West Tennessee and some of them are working through some significant flood-related issues,” said Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke. “Metro Nashville and the Harpeth Valley Utility District are running at half capacity and asking people to cut water consumption by half. We urge water customers to follow these conservation measures.”

 

While not a part of the order, the department urges all municipal water customers in counties affected by flooding to practice water conservation measures for nonessential uses. This includes taking steps such as delaying clothes washing, running dishwashers, flushing toilets, washing cars, filling pools and hot tubs, etc.

 

Water systems in Middle and West Tennessee are being continually evaluated and the department will include additional coverage areas in the mandatory conservation order if necessary.

 

The order is available on the Web at www.tn.gov/environment/flood.

 

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