Rain a welcome sight, but lots more needed
By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Staff Writer larry@gaffneyledger.com

Recent rains have done little to improve the area's drought conditions, Gaffney Board of Public Works General Manager Donnie Hardin said.

A storm system dumped as much as 3/4 of an inch of rain in some areas of the county Monday, but Hardin said the rainfall amount is still about 20 inches below normal for the year.

"We are thankful for the rain, but we need a lot more," he said.

The Gaffney BPW and some water districts throughout Cherokee County have issued two requests for voluntary water conservation.

Since the original request in June did little to reduce water usage, the utilities issued another request in August.

Hardin said usage rates have declined but that's more of a result of a seasonal change. He said the only way the Board would enact mandatory water restrictions is if the state raises its drought level from moderate to extreme.