CLEMSON — Clemson residents once again can have their houses washed, but some City Council members are concerned that some residents are ignoring the water use restrictions imposed in July.

The City Council unanimously approved a request by Benjie McGill, Clemson’s director of utilities, that he be given the discretion to allow normally prohibited uses in cases where the ban imposes a hardship on a water customer.

Council member Tim Fowler was absent.

The request comes after numerous requests, McGill said, by homeowners, businesses and contractors regarding uses of water that violate the restrictions.

Particularly, according to McGill, homeowners and painting contractors have pointed out the necessity of washing homes as a preparation for painting. Often, according to McGill, the request is made by homeowners who want their homes painted so the buildings can be put on the market.

Glenn Sutton, owner of Palmetto Home and Deck, explained to the council that pressure washing a 1,500-square-foot house used only roughly 200-250 gallons of water, much less than the more than 400 gallons typically used by a lawn sprinkling system during the average 20-minute watering session.

“I had no idea of any of these numbers you’re showing us,” Mayor Larry Abernathy told Sutton.

In addition, watering of new plantings and use of water for some construction work will be allowed on a case-by-case basis, at McGill’s discretion. His decisions can be appealed to the council.

Abernathy and several council members voiced concerns that the restrictions that went into effect in July were being ignored.

Abernathy said he sees several violations daily at Clemson Downs, the residential community where he lives.

Council member J.C. Cook said some homeowners might have automatic watering systems they had not or could not reprogram.

The restriction limits the watering of lawns and other plants or trees to between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. and on odd/even calendar days that correspond to the address number of the home or property address. Watering also is recommended only two days a week.

Abernathy said the city would distribute fliers once again informing the public of the regulations.

The city’s water use restriction was passed by the council on July 7 as a response to the June 30 declaration by the South Carolina Climatology Office of the Department of Natural Resources that five Upstate counties — including Pickens, Oconee and Greenville — were in an “extreme drought emergency.”

Besides specifically prohibiting the washing of houses or buildings for reasons other than fire protection, the restrictions made punishable by fines the washing of sidewalks, driveways, parking lots or other hard-surface areas, and of any motorized vehicle, boat, trailer or other vehicle in a private residence.

First offenses are punishable by up to a $50 fine, with subsequent violations bringing fines up to $500.