WATER RESTRICTIONS, DROUGHT DON’T DETER COLUMBIA’S FINEST FROM WATERING BRICK SIGN

Anyone who’s watched the news or picked up a newspaper in the past few weeks knows that the entire Southeastern United States, including South Carolina, is in the midst of a serious drought. And it’s only getting worse.

Cold ocean water off the coast of South America is spelling deeper trouble for the drought-stricken states of the Southeast.

The weather pattern La Niña, which typically brings dry weather to North Carolina and surrounding states, is intensifying, according to the National Weather Service.

And that, on top of a year that already stands to be the among the driest in recorded history, spells trouble.

“We’re starting to get into a little bit of uncharted territory,” said Jeff Orrock , a meteorologist with the weather service. [JASON HARDIN - Greensboro (N.C.) News-Record]

Not only is the water shortage impacting farmers and outdoorsmen, but if it continues for much longer, we could all be taking one-minute showers and rinsing our toothbrushes with Mountain Dew. A number of cities and towns including Rock Hill, Spartanburg and Eutawville have imposed voluntary water restrictions, while other areas may soon be forced to consider the idea.

In fact, the only areas not considered to be at the “severe drought level” are Beaufort and Jasper — for now.

So it must be that the City of Columbia Police Department doesn’t watch the news and doesn’t read the newspaper because, as I drove by the South Region headquarters at the intersection of Millwood Avenue and Woodrow Street Monday afternoon, I noticed a sprinkler watering the giant brick sign marking the station’s entrance.

That’s right, the City of Columbia Police Department was watering a brick sign. In the middle of the day. In December. During a drought.

Granted, there were a few flowers near the sign, but I highly doubt any more than 20 percent of the water went onto the plants.  The other 80 percent was splashed on the sign and sitting a massive pool on the sidewalk.

Genius…