Why Mount Pleasant is asking residents to conserve water

MOUNT PLEASANT, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A Cabarrus County town is asking its residents to cut down on the amount of water they’re using, but it has nothing to do with the dangerous heat hitting the Carolinas.

The Town of Mount Pleasant is shutting down its water treatment plant, which is undergoing upgrades and maintenance to produce cleaner, better-quality water.

Steve Wensil owns Kingdom Corner in downtown Mount Pleasant.

“Vintage toys, collectibles, albums, about anything we think we can sell, we will buy it from you,” said Wensil.

He opened his dream shop in his hometown.

“I’ve been here 51 years, born and raised,” said Wensil.

But there’s something in the water that he says he just doesn’t trust.

“There for a while you could pour it in a glass, and it looked white,” said Wensil.

He doesn’t drink it and tries not to smell it.

“My wife back there, she’s nodding, she said it has, I’ve never smelled it before, but she said it smelled funny before,” said Wensil.

The town has temporarily shut its water treatment plant down for two months and is undergoing massive maintenance and upgrades.

The assistant town manager says it’s not only to make the water taste and smell better but to make it cleaner by reducing the disinfection byproducts and getting into compliance with state regulations.

“Our levels had become elevated, so that’s why we’re working with DEQ and an engineer to bring those levels down because it can be a health concern in a long-term situation,” said Erin Burris, the assistant town manager for Mount Pleasant.

The town has tapped into the City of Concord’s water system temporarily while repairs are being made. That costs more, so they’re asking people to conserve water right now.

The town is asking people to only take 5-minute showers and to cut back on watering their lawns and washing their cars. This all comes in the middle of a stretch of scorching temperatures.

“It’s a little frustrating, I have not had to do this that I remember,” said Wensil.

He’s also dealing with another construction project outside his front door.

“I know it needs to be done, I’m just ready for them to get done with it,” said Wensil.

He knows it’s part of the game, but he hopes it ends soon.