Hillsboro water emergency, future supply concerns discussed as drought 'persists'

Two days after issuing a Phase II Water Emergency citywide, Hillsboro Safety and Service Director Brianne Abbott addressed concerns about the city’s water reserves — which she said are at approximately an 80-day supply — during the Thursday, Sept. 12 Hillsboro City Council meeting.

“City officials have been monitoring the drought and our water levels over the last several weeks. Our reservoirs are much lower than we've seen,” Abbott said. “Maybe you've caught a glimpse of the reservoir that's visible from US 62, or maybe you’ve just noticed the dying lawns and lack of precipitation lately.

“All of these and more have brought us to the conclusion that the water conservation is a necessity at this point in the drought. We most definitely want to get ahead of extreme disaster and conserve now to help extend our water supply.”

As previously reported, Abbott issued the water emergency order Sept. 10. It is the second-most serious emergency classification of the three levels permitted under city code.

“At this point in time, the city has about 80 days of water supply left,” Abbott said. “If and when we hit the 30-day mark of supply, the city will then issue a Level III emergency, which will have more strict guidelines for conservation.”

Under the current Phase Two Water Emergency, Abbott said, it is unlawful to use water from the city water system for the purpose of:

(a) Watering lawns, flowers, trees, shrubs, or gardens;

(b) Washing parking lots, driveways, or sidewalks;

(c) Cleaning of motor vehicles, except in a high-pressure pay car wash facility;

(d) Filling swimming pools or fountains; or

(e) Any other non-essential use.

As brought out by Abbott, “Hillsboro is currently at a D3 extreme drought level on the US Drought Monitor,” which is the second-most intense level of drought.  

“According to the records, this was the 11th-driest August on record in 130 years,” Abbott said. “Highland County was declared a primary natural disaster area due to the drought, according to the United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency.”

The county is also under a state-mandated burn ban until further notice.

As of Sept. 6, the National Weather Service’s four-week drought report said that drought worsened in the past month for “much of Ohio,” which has seen “five percent to 50 percent of normal rainfall.”

“Below normal streamflow has been persistent, and in some cases worsening, across the mid-Ohio Valley,” the National Weather Service reported. “Springs have stopped running, and creeks are drying up.”

Unfortunately, as of the Sept. 6 report, the NWS is predicting “below normal” precipitation and expects the drought to “persist” in Highland County for the month of September.

In the event that the city of Hillsboro moves to a Level III water emergency, only water for human/pet consumption, bathing, household cleaning (including laundry), toilet flushing and firefighting will be permitted.

For tips on conserving water use and other drought-related resources, see: https://www.ready.gov/drought.

For more from Thursday's council meeting, go to https://highlandcountypress.com/news/union-negotiations-revised-pay-ord… and https://highlandcountypress.com/news/hillsboro-city-council-updated-par….

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