Under the direction from the NC Department of Environmental Quality, as of April 14, 2026, parts of 30 North Carolina counties, including Macon County, are in Extreme Drought (D3). According to Session Law 2008-143, each local government and large community water system must report weekly water use if they are in a county that contains an area of Extreme or Exceptional drought and implement conservation efforts within their Water Shortage Response Plan (WSRP). Effective April 22, 2026, the Town of Franklin is asking citizens to voluntarily restrict water usage by 5%.
PRESS RELEASE (04-21-2026) TOWN OF FRANKLIN
Voluntary Water Restrictions to begin April 22, 2026
As of April 14, 2026 there are parts of 30 North Carolina counties in Extreme Drought (D3) including Macon County. According to Session Law 2008-143, each local government and large community water system must report weekly water use if they are in a county that contains an area of Extreme or Exceptional drought and implement conservation efforts within their Water Shortage Response Plan (WSRP). The Town of Franklin is asking citizens to voluntarily restrict the amount of water being used effective April 22, 2026. Due to the lack of rain, water levels in Cartoogechaye Creek at the inflow to the water treatment plant are below normal and this has triggered a Stage 1 voluntary water restriction.
In accordance with the Town of Franklin’s WSRP, a stage 1 voluntary water restriction means that all water users are being asked to reduce their normal water use by 5%. Examples of ways to voluntarily restrict water use can include eliminating of washing vehicles, waiting to wash clothes until you have a full load, checking for leaks or toilets that may be running or use of dishwashers, limiting watering or irrigating outdoor landscapes.
The Town is asking for citizen cooperation by limiting the use of water, when possible, until there is enough precipitation to raise water levels and reduce fire danger.
Any updates related to the water restrictions will be forwarded to the media and posted on the Town’s website and the Town, Police and Fire social media pages.
Support Macon Media
• [SEVERE WEATHER CHANNEL]
• You can now support Macon Media with a $1.99 monthly Facebook subscription at https://www.facebook.com/MaconMediaNews/posts/pfbid0sraDv94aqwTXUA5KqivnmL3U4H5bhjgkZkYdmknBUx5fedENQXAWuQZqndTyNhUel?comment_id=1161740932841534
If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month. Those who support Macon Media with at least a dollar a month receive early access to video of some events and meetings before they are made public on the website. Videos and news involving public safety are not subject to early access.
Or, if you prefer Pay Pal, try PayPal.me/MaconMedia
Published at 4.30am on Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Author: Bobby Coggins
No comments:
Post a Comment
I appreciate your interest in commenting on what I have written and/or linked to, here are the ground rules and commenting philosophy at Thunder Pig.
Spam links will not be tolerated. If you have a product or service you wish to advertise, please use the contact info on the upper left sidebar at a buffer email address. Then, we shall discuss advertising rates.
Flooding the comments is not permitted. If you post more than three comments in a row in a thread, your comments will be deleted. Give me, and others, time to respond or comment on your comments.
Vulgar or profane comments will be deleted. Respectful disagreement and debate is encouraged, and links to cite your references are welcome.
I may highlight your comment on the front page, and I read the comments I get, and try to respond to them, but sometimes forget. (My memory buffer is limited).
Comments for posts will be closed in 14 days, when they go into moderation. I may read them, but only in very special circumstances will I approve them. Those circumstances are known only to God, and occasionally, me.