LIBERTY, Ky. (WKYT) – Water customers in Liberty and parts of Casey County are being told to cut back on usage or face consequences as an extreme drought continues.
The City of Liberty issued mandatory restrictions on water use. The restrictions include no filling of swimming pools, no watering lawns and surcharges on people who use more than 2,000 gallons of water a month.
Some businesses are already planning to temporarily cease operations, and some events are being canceled.
The annual Casey County Dairy Show is being canceled because the event cannot continue this year with water restrictions in place.
“Kind of like a beauty show for cows. Bring in all the heifers and cows in, get washed twice a day,” said Greg Goode, who operates Goode’s Riverside Creamery.
Goode is a dairy farmer and said water is a big part of caring for cattle.
“A mature dairy cow can drink 40 to 50 gallons on a good hot day,” Goode said.
Businesses shuttered
The executive order is already causing some businesses to cease operations because it would be impossible to abide by the restrictions and remain open. That includes several local car washes.
“None of our car washes have the recycling. So basically they are shuttered,” said Niki Johnson with the Chamber of Commerce.
Lack of rainfall, added agricultural needs and other districts pulling water from the lake all resulted in the mandatory restrictions.
“You know that is going to be a financial hardship for some of our families, that depend on water,” Johnson said.
Water customers who violate the orders can be fined $250 on first offense and $500 on subsequent offenses. People can also risk having their water service disconnected if they commit three or more violations.
“And we are all doing our best I’m sure. Our community is a wonderful community. I feel like we have tightened up a considerable amount. I am not sure how much more tightening we can actually do,” Johnson said.
It’s possible that the mayor of Liberty could add other restrictions, directives or conservation measures if the drought continues.
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