St. Mary's Pulls Plug on Water Use

The drought that has settled over Southern Maryland in recent months prompted the St. Mary's County Metropolitan Commission on Tuesday to restrict water use across the county.

The commission, which operates public water and sewer service in the county, said the Level 1 restriction, the least severe possible, bans watering of lawns and gardens except between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. The order also asks customers to watch automated sprinkler and irrigation systems for excessive water runoff and to not wash paved surfaces such as sidewalks and driveways.

The filling of swimming pools and washing of cars are permitted. Privately owned vehicles may be washed only once a week, using a bucket or hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle.

The affected public water systems serve Breton Bay, Cedar Cove, Charlotte Hall, Country Lakes, Forrest Farms, Greenbrier, Hunting Quarters, Lexington Park, Mulberry South, Persimmon Hills, Piney Point, Piney Point Landings, Rolling Acres, Villages of Leonardtown and Wilderness Run.

Utilities Chief Named

William A. Shreve Sr., who works for the Maryland Environmental Service, was named acting director of the Charles County Department of Utilities this week.

He will fill the vacancy created last week when Jerome L. Michael announced his retirement.

County Administrator Paul W. Comfort announced the temporary appointment Tuesday. Shreve, who lives in St. Mary's County and has been serving as environmental systems regional supervisor for the Southern Region Water and Wastewater Division in Millersville, started the job Monday.

Shreve has worked in the public utility field for more than 31 years, including in Baltimore, Anne Arundel County and St. Mary's County. He is the chairman of the Maryland Board of Certification for Water and Waste Systems Operators, a gubernatorial appointment. He also serves on the St. Mary's County Commission on the Environment.

St. Mary's Forum

The St. Mary's County Board of Commissioners will conduct this month's public forum at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Governmental Center, 23115 Leonard Hall Dr., Leonardtown.

The public is welcome. Phone calls to commissioners are encouraged and will be taken at 301-475-4200, Ext. 1343.

The forum will be taped for broadcast on Channel 95.

Public Relations Luncheon

Brooks Jackson, the author of "UnSpun: Finding Facts in a World of Disinformation," will speak at noon Aug. 16 at a meeting of the organization of Public Relations Individuals of Southern Maryland.