Water Restrictions Cause Stir In Lafayette

LAFAYETTE, Tenn. -- Farmers in Lafayette hit hard by water restrictions worry if their animals can survive the drought.

Video: Farmers Worry About Livestock Amid Water Restrictions

The farmers said that the city isn’t making matters any easier, but Friday afternoon, both sides reached a compromise.

Bart Jones said he relies on his pigs for his income, and also on the Lafayette city water supply he uses to water his hogs.

But earlier in the week, the city said it wanted his water supply shut down.

“They came yesterday and asked me to turn the meters off, and I told them voluntarily, from a humane standpoint, I was not going to personally starve my pigs to death,” Jones said.

The city is running out of water, so the city ordered farmers who rely on city water to stop using to feed animals or they would be charged heavy fines.

The move caused a stir throughout Macon County.

“Imagine yourself going without water and that’s the only drink you’ve ever known is water, and these animals are going hours and days without water,” said concerned resident Alisa Price.

Farmers and local business owners met with city officials Friday afternoon to discuss the situation.

After the meeting, the city decided to change the rules for farmers so the farmers could do their job.

“We know that if they don’t have other sources that they don’t have any other options other than city water. So, we’re not going to cut any farmer off from his supply,” said Lafayette Mayor Bill Wells.

Wells added that farmers will still have to do their part to conserve. Jones said he is doing what he can. He said he has already moved 125 heads of cattle to Kentucky to save water.

“If each person, each family, each farmer, each business would go about with those same kinds of principals (then) we could solve this problem as a community,” Jones said.

While the city eased the restrictions on farmers, they imposed new restrictions at the same time.

Car washes will have to shut down and restaurants will only be able to serve water to customers who specifically ask for it.

The restrictions will continue until the conditions get better, city officials said.

People who break the rules face a $300 fine the first time and $600 for the second. Their water will also be shut off until the restrictions are lifted.