AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Leaders in Augusta and other communities are struggling to recover from Hurricane Helene are urging people to save water – but they are denying rumors that they would turn off water use after a certain hour.

Rumors of a water shutdown spread Saturday, apparently fueled by social media.

That prompted Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson to make a statement at a news conference saying the rumor was untrue.

The rumor may have been fueled by a mixture of a prescribed curfew and calls to save water.

But Johnson said at a news conference Saturday that it was absolutely not true that either the city of Augusta or neighboring Columbia County would ban people from using water.

He said it was true that the city government was asking the public to save water.

And it's true that in some cases workers will have to insulate some water pipes long enough to repair them, although that's difficult because of the many uprooted trees.

But the city is working to provide as much water as possible, he said.

Despite this claim, News 12 received calls from South Augusta viewers complaining that their water flow was at a trickle, if at all.

Communities across the CSRA are demanding water conservation as widespread power outages continue. This is electricity that typically pumps water from wells and refills water tanks.

In order to meet demand, those responsible want to keep the water tanks as full as possible. That's why they're asking people not to water their gardens and to save water in other ways.

Among the requests:

• The cities of Girard, Vidette and Waynesboro are calling for water conservation. If you need water, bring clean containers with lids and go to Burke County Emergency Management Agency stations on Spring Branch Church Road, Hephzibah-Keysville Road, Highway 305 in Gough, Story Mill Road, Highway 56 South between Waynesboro and Midville and to EMA headquarters in Waynesboro. Water is available at these stations from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• The Allendale Water Department has released these daily tips for saving water indoors and outdoors, including turning off the water when brushing your teeth or shaving, reducing the amount of dishwashing you do and only using washing machines with a full load.
• Edgefield County Water and Sewer encourages all customers to conserve water according to Helene. All facilities are currently running on generator power, but fuel supplies are currently limited. Please use water only for cooking, bathing and bathroom use.
• The New Ellenton Commission of Public Works is asking customers to conserve water until power is restored. This will help the utility conserve the water currently in the tanks.
• The Montmorenci-Couchton Water & Sewer District is also calling for water conservation. Without power, the utility cannot operate its wells to pump water back into the tanks.
• Jackson's water system lost pressure, and officials on Saturday called for water to be boiled before service is resumed until further notice.

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