Town of Murphy Declaration of Water Shortage Emergency for Downtown and East Murphy

The Town of Murphy is declaring a phase 3 Water Shortage Emergency for Downtown and East Murphy, due to a severe water main break. Town crews are working tirelessly to fix the problem.

All homes and businesses west of McDonald's, and the Peachtree Community (including the Cherokee Hills Golf Course) should have adequate water, volume and pressure and should not be effected. 

If you run out of water, call the Town of Murphy Water Plant at 828-837-2913. Please leave a message so staff can document outages.

MANDATORY CONSERVATION OF WATER

No person, firm or corporation shall use or permit the use of water from the Water System for any of the following purposes:

• To water lawns, grass, shrubbery, trees, flowers and vegetable gardens.
• To fill newly constructed swimming and/or wading pools or refill swimming and/or wading pools which have been drained.
• To wash automobile, trucks, trailers, boats, airplanes, or any other type of mobile equipment, including commercial washing.
• To wash down outside areas such as streets, driveways, service station aprons, parking lots, office buildings, exteriors of existing or newly constructed homes or apartments' sidewalks, or patios, or to use for other similar purposes.
• To use water from public or private fire hydrants for any purpose other than fire suppression or other public safety emergency.
• To operate or induce water into any ornamental fountain, pool or pond or other structure making similar use of water.
• To operate water-cooled air conditioners or other equipment that does not recycle cooling water, except when health and safety are adversely affected,
• To use water for any unnecessary purpose or to intentionally waste water.
• To reduce or eliminate dust or other airborne particles.
• To water or sprinkle any golf courses, to flush streets or sidewalks, or, to use water for any similar purposes.
• To add water into any swimming pool and/or wading pool.
• To use water outside a structure for any use other than an emergency involving a fire.
• To serve drinking water in restaurants, cafeterias, or other food establishments, except upon request.
• To operate water-cooled air conditioners or other equipment that does not recycle cooling water, except when health and safety are adversely affected.
• To engage in any service involving any water usage when the service provided can be obtained elsewhere, thereby avoid such water usage.
• Hotels and motels shall provide notices for all guests of water restrictions and provide tips and request water conservation measures.
• All customers of the Town's water system shall be subject to being billed an additional surcharge of 50% of the prevailing water rate for all consumption during a billing cycle which exceeds the following quantities:
•  A single-family residence using in excess of 5,000 gallons within a one month billing, cycle.
• A customer other than a single-family residence using in excess of 80% of the average daily consumption within the preceding 12 months within a one-month billing cycle.
• Surcharges may be exempted for consumption resulting from an underground or hidden leak provided the leak is repaired within 5 calendar days after the leak was discovered.
• A commercial or industrial customer may obtain an exemption from the Town from surcharges if the business has had a comprehensive water efficiency audit performed by a qualified firm within the past five years and the customer certifies in writing that all water efficiency recommendations and practices are currently in place and being strictly adhered to.

Lifting of Restrictions Imposed During a Water Shortage

• Water shortage Conditions will expire when the governing board acknowledges, by resolution, that the condition which caused alert has abated.

The expiration or cancellation of a water shortage declaration shall be promptly and extensively publicized by the Town of Murphy.

Penalties

Any violation of the Town's emergency water use restriction policy may result in the termination of service, as well as all other penalties, civil or criminal, provided by law.

​In such instances where water service has been discontinued as penalty for willful disregard of the water conservation provisions set forth herein, a ONE-HUNDRED ($100.00) DOLLAR reconnect fee may be imposed before restoration of service.  In the event of continued gross non-compliance of this ordinance, the removal of meter will be deemed proper and service will be discontinued and all fees and deposit forfeited.  Reconnection will only be made by payment of current due amounts and new tap fees and deposits shall be paid.

March 3, 2019 

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