Landscapers want more watering privileges

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Landscapers say they’re fed up over being tapped out from Charlotte’s water restrictions.

Nearly 600 attended Monday’s city council meeting and told city leaders that restrictions are costing them jobs and taxing the town’s famed tree canopy. They want once-a-week watering.

Green grass is good as gold for landscaper Lawrence Toney. It puts money in his pocket and keeps his employees busy.

Thing is, his customers' yards are brown… and the same thought crosses their minds.

"They look back and say 'Why are we paying all this money to have a company maintain a lawn and the yard deteriorates?’” Toney said.

That's the situation hundreds of landscapers say they're in thanks to the ongoing drought.

Overall, revenues are down 40 percent. Layoffs are up 30 percent.

"We have been brought to our knees due to the water restrictions,” said Louise Hodges with the Green Industry Council.

Right now, Charlotte is in Stage 3 restrictions. You can hand-water and use drip irrigation.

Toney says that's fine for trees and shrubs, but, "You need rudders and pop-ups if you're going to get yards established,” he said.

Monday, they offered their own proposal: Allow property owners once-a-week watering and 30 day variances for new and renovated landscaping projects.

City leaders say they're sympathetic, but have a problem on their hands.

"We're heading into warm weather,” said Maeneen Klein with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities.

Summer is when CMUD says daily usage typically rises from 100 million gallons a day to 150 million gallons a day.

Council members didn't vote on the proposal.

Toney wants them to let it sink it, something he wishes was happening in his customers' yards.

"Battle it out and see what happens,” Toney said.

On Monday, Duke Power said they've pushed back the date of possible Stage 4 restrictions from spring to summer. Stage 4 would eliminate hand-watering, drip irrigation and variances.