Buying disposable plates and utensils is costing restaurants $300 to $1,200 each per week, members of the Southern Pines Business Association said at a meeting this week. They said the costs could eventually be passed on to the customer.
One woman who owns a small restaurant also expressed concern that when dishwashing personnel have to be laid off, unemployment compensation claims will go up, increasing overhead costs to the businesses.
The water crunch has created a “dire difficulty,” Southern Pines Town Manager Kyle Sonnenberg said . Water conservation is needed to protect human life and health, he said.
When a landscape architect at the meeting complained that the loss of valuable plants and shrubs was cutting into his business, Sonnenberg said: “We don’t have the water to allow irrigation.”
“I’m personally watching thousands and thousands of dollars’ worth of plants I’ve put in my property wither away,” Sonnenberg said. “I’m not pleased, but it’s better than running out of water for human health and welfare.”
Bottled-water businesses, on the other hand, aren’t hurting.
Scott Frye, manager of Mountain Clear Spring Water, said this time of year always brings a brisk business, with usage up because of hot weather.
“It’s hard to know how much is because of people trying to save tap water and how much is just the normal hot weather orders we have,” Frye said.
One order directly related to the water shortage came Monday from the Child Nutrition Program of the Moore County Schools.
The Carthage office ordered 100 five-gallon bottles for inventory in case of emergency for the 22 public schools. Frye delivered them Monday.
Milton and Karen Pilson own the bottled water company. At the same location, they also own a Nature’s Own store and a restaurant called “195.” Frye said his bosses’ restaurant is having to absorb additional overhead costs, as are others that comply with the countywide and townwide prohibition on using utensils and plates that have to be washed.
