Westminster will become the first town in Carrollto adopt voluntary restrictions on water usage.
Town officials say they hope residents will significantly reduce how much water residents use to water lawns, brush their teeth, and wash cars, driveways and patios.
The county seat became the first town in Carroll to approve the voluntary conservation measures that will begin in April.
City Administrator Marge Wolf told the Westminster Common Council on Monday night that council members would pass the restrictions.
“They?ve seen this before, they know what it is, so I think it?s safe to say it?s going to pass,” Wolf said.
Last year, the state experienced its second-driest summer in 113 years, according to the town?s resolution.
Westminster?s reservoir levels remain several feet below normal, but this month the town signed a contract to allow construction of an emergency seven-mile pipeline to Medford Quarry. The pipeline is expected to be complete in a year and would provide water during droughts.
County commissioners agreed to the water-conservation conditions about two weeks ago, and each of the eight municipalities will consider them before all officials can sign a resolution to make it official before April 1.
Westminster also has hired an Annapolis-based company to scrutinize its water rates and come up with incentives for residents to use less water.
Under the current system, the more water residents use, the less they pay per gallon.
Water restrictions
» Limit watering lawns.
» Reduce use of sprinklers.
» Limit washing of roads, sidewalks, patios.
» Reduce water for car washes.
» Turn off water when brushing teeth.
» Use washing machines only with full loads.
» Install water-savingdevices on faucets.
» Check for leaks in plumbing.
» Limit filling swimming pool.
