School administrators are devising a water restriction policy for the system that will bring them into compliance with a mandate from the county commission.

On Monday, the Board of Commissioners adopted a plan to cut water use, and directed the school system to comply, and work with the county water system to develop an efficient program.

The school district must show a ten percent reduction in water over a four month period, beginning in December and going until March of next year. The reduction will be in comparison to the same December-March period as a year ago.

The county school system has already adopted an outdoor watering ban, and athletic fields have remained unwatered for months.

Under the new policy, schools may adjust toilets to use less water, appoint water monitors to check for water waste, and cut back on basic cleaning, like window washing. The policy may also ask custodial staff to reduce their water use while cleaning, and use paper plates and plastic flatware in some lunchrooms on certain days of the week.

The plan is expected to be adopted either this week or early next week.

October 31, 2007