CONCORD, N.C. - Facing a severe drought, the city on Wednesday turned off the water spigot to a developer after the company repeatedly violated the city's water restrictions. <br>
<br>
MDC Homes of Alpharetta, Ga., had already been slapped with two $1,500 fines earlier this week for watering lawns at two homes at its Ashebrook subdivision before the city shut off its supply. <br>
<br>
``I can't understand why, with the situation we're in, a corporation wouldn't have more consideration to the other residents in the community,'' said City Manager Brian Hiatt. <br>
<br>
Since November 2001, the company had received six other fines and a warning on Aug. 10, 2001, according to city records. <br>
<br>
MDC's fines total $6,000 out of the roughly $40,000 the city has handed out since February 2001 when the water restrictions began. The company has paid half of its fines. <br>
<br>
Hiatt said the company has shown a lack of concern for the city's water restrictions. The city is permitted to end water service when the fines reach $3,000. <br>
<br>
In response, the city pulled water service from the 12 homes under construction or not yet sold at the Ashebrook subdivision. <br>
<br>
MDC won't get water restored until it pays reconnection fees and signs a contract agreeing not to violate the water restrictions. <br>
<br>
Ken Anson, division manager for MDC, blamed the problems on contractors unaware of the details of the restrictions. Before this week, MDC had received its most recent fine May 23. <br>
<br>
Monday's violations, he said, resulted over a misunderstanding by a landscaper who installed sod for two homes and watered it with city water. <br>
<br>
The company spends $1,000 a week to bring in water to irrigate the entrance area and the lawns of homes not sold, he said, which is permitted. <br>
<br>
``We've taken those steps to avoid any difficulties of not complying with the water restrictions,'' he said.
