The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has announced a mandatory water conservation order for parts of Upper East Tennessee. This measure aims to extend existing water supplies and support ongoing recovery efforts in areas affected by the recent storm.
“TDEC Commissioner David Salyers expressed his concern, stating, “In this critical time of limited resources, clean water is essential for recovery, and we call upon all citizens in these affected areas to conserve as much water as possible.”
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The mandatory water conservation order applies to the entire counties of Sullivan, Carter, Johnson, Greene, Unicoi, and Washington. Additionally, parts of Cocke (Newport Utilities), Sevier (Webb Utility District), and Jefferson (Dandridge) counties are affected.
Residents are urged to conserve water used for non-essential purposes such as clothes washing, running dishwashers, landscaping irrigation, and washing cars. Many local water utilities are either non-operational or disconnected from their distribution systems. Water conservation will help existing supplies last longer. TDEC recommends following the directions of local water utilities and maintains constant communication with local authorities in the affected areas.
TDEC has also shared a list of communities where Boil Water Advisories have been issued by local drinking water utilities. Residents receiving water from these utilities should follow their provider’s guidance on how to safely prepare and consume drinking water until further notice.
The following utilities have issued Boil Water Advisories for their customers:
– Chuckey Utility District
– Cross Anchor Utility District
– Dandridge Water Department
– Elizabethton Water Department
– Erwin Utilities Authority
– First Utility District of Carter County
– Glen Hills Utility District
– Greeneville Water and Light Commission
– Hampton Utility District
– Jonesborough Water Department
– Mosheim Utility District
– Mountain City Water Department
– Newport Utilities Board
– South Elizabethton Utility District
– Webb Creek Utility District
– Unicoi Utility District
A pending Boil Water Advisory will be issued for North Greene Utilities once water service is restored.
Boil Water Advisories are issued when there is damage to a water line, or parts of the main water distribution system, or when water pressure drops, potentially allowing bacteria to enter the water pipes. During such advisories, tap water should be boiled for at least three minutes and cooled to a safe temperature before use.
TDEC has developed an online dashboard that lists impacted water systems, which will be updated as repairs are made and guidance changes. The online dashboard can be accessed through this link.
Source: Read Original Release
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