With some improvement in the water flow of Little River due to this week’s rains, the City of Alcoa today announced the lifting of the ban on commercial car washing. Although the rains have not solved the continuing drought problem and its impact on Little River water supplies, it was enough to recharge the intake supply at the Alcoa Water Treatment Plant to lift the ban.

Effective immediately commercial car washing for those on the City of Alcoa and Tuckaleechee Utility District water systems may resume until further advised. The supply level will be continuously monitored over the weekend and if the river gage again reaches the critical level, the lifting of the ban will be revoked and any commercial car washing will again be prohibited. At the time of the initial ban, the river flow had fallen to 23 cfs and, since then, had fallen as low as 21 cfs. Overnight the river flow peaked at 40 cfs but was flowing at 30 cfs as of 10:00 a.m.

The following previously announced restrictions will still remain in place:

¨ Lawn and landscape watering is banned at all times.

¨ Washing of vehicles by residents is prohibited.

¨ Filling and refilling of swimming pools and hot tubs is prohibited.

As before, new landscaping installed prior to October 1 may be eligible for a limited exemption from these restrictions. Customers seeking an exemption may contact the City’s Planning and Codes Department at 865-380-4730. If the water level continues to decline, these exemptions may be withdrawn.

City Manager Mark Johnson stated, “The cooperation of our residents and businesses has been extraordinary in helping to conserve our water supply. We appreciate what each person does to help and ask that everyone please continue to practice water conservation measures.”