MURFREESBORO – Make that four area municipalities that have agreed to conserve water.

On Tuesday, the Murfreesboro Town Council approved a resolution to safeguard the water supply through conservation methods.

The resolution asks citizens to adopt Governor Mike Easley’s recommendations to preserve water.

A press release from Easley’s office at the beginning of the month revealed though heavy rain made improvement on the drought situation, the effect of the rain was likely to be short lived and most counties are still in some form of drought.

Easley also noted climatologists are forecasting a dry winter, which gives another reason for citizens to look at their water usage.

According to the resolution, the Town Council recommends the following tips:

* Turn off water while brushing teeth or lathering hands.

* Take short showers and shallow baths.

* Sweep walkways instead of hosing them down.

* Use a bucket to wash vehicles or go to a commercial car wash that recycles water.

* Run dishwashers and washing machines with full loads.

* Identify and repair plumbing leaks.

* Water lawns early in the morning or use sprinkler systems sparingly.

Councilman Bill Theodorakis offer a motion to approve the resolution. It was seconded by Councilman Bill Stephens. The motion passed without objection. Councilwoman Sarah Wallace was absent from the meeting.

Other area municipalities that have asked citizens to conserve water include, Ahoskie, Windsor and Aulander. Gates County Commissioners called for voluntary water restrictions at their last meeting.

Before the approval of the water conservation resolution, citizen Walter Thomas brought a water issue to the council’s attention.

Thomas said on Friday he noticed a water main break on Main Street and reported it to Murfreesboro Police Department.

Thomas continued by saying he noticed the problem was not fixed for a few days.

“I don’t know anything about the water table, but that’s money down the drain,” he said.

The question was referred to Public Works Superintendent Gene Byrd, who said a crew did respond. He noted the leak was from a three-quarter inch pipe leak not a main break.

Byrd said because the flow had slowed down, maintenance was held off until Monday.

Councilwoman Gloria Odum suggested if it was possible to provide citizens with an emergency number on the water bills.

Thomas asked how the town would absorb the cost from the leak.

Town Administrator Cathy Davison said the cost would go back to the Waste Water Treatment Plant and man hours.