Less Rain, More Restriction

When the South Carolina Drought Response Committee meets on Wednesday morning, there's a good chance that the state's drought status could be upgraded to "extreme."

If the committee declares the drought conditions to be extreme, water-use restrictions statewide could be the next step.

That could have a big effect on nurseries, golf courses and other businesses that rely on a lot of water.

Despite some recent rains in parts of the area, the 4-year-long dry spell has worsened across most of the state, committee members said.

"We may be upgrading to an extreme level because we've got to do something about being able to use wisely the water we have available," Clemson University agricultural meteorologist Dale Linvill told WYFF News 4's Kisha Foster.

Linvill is a member of the committee that will meet Wednesday in Columbia.

Extreme drought status could means a ban on all residential outdoor water use for lawns and washing cars.

Similar limits have already been imposed in Walhalla in Oconee County.

The limits would address critical problems across the state.

"You're using that water to keep your yard green when maybe the people downstream could have used that water for drinking," Linvill said.

Still, for nursery owners like Joe Soileau of Soileau's Greenhouse, a ban could mean a big drop in business.

"I water 3 or 4 times a day. It takes quite a bite of water," Soileau told News 4. "I need water. If the state puts restrictions on me it'll put me out of business."