WUNC NEWS - The city of Durham has announced Stage 2 water restrictions will go into effect starting next Monday as drought conditions worsen.
It comes as two of the city’s drinking water reservoir levels–Lake Michie and Little River Reservoir–have dropped.
What you should know about Stage 2 Water Restrictions in Durham:
No spray irrigation of landscapes with city water is allowed.
No drip irrigation of landscapes.
Car washing is limited to compliant commercial facilities.
Large water users are asked to reduce water usage by 30%.
No new landscape-exemption licenses will be issued during Stage 2.
Stage 2 restrictions remain in effect until both reservoirs return to full levels.
Violations may result in enforcement actions as allowed under city ordinance.
Drought conditions
Durham's upgrade in water restrictions comes as part of the Triangle and Triad are experiencing exceptional drought conditions, which is worse than extreme drought. According to the North Carolina drought monitor, Chapel Hill is off to its driest start of any year, dating back to 1893.
Meanwhile, the city of Raleigh is increasing its enforcement of Stage 1 water restrictions over the next few weeks.
“What it will entail will be more thorough patrols, usually early in the morning or late at night, because that typically is where a lot of folks will be irrigating,” said Ed Buchan, the assistant director with Raleigh Water.
He said those who violate the water restrictions could face a civil penalty up to $200 for multiple offenses or even getting their water deactivated.
He is urging residents in Wake County to conserve water by adhering to the following restrictions:
Outdoor use
For folks with automatic or manual sprinklers, water lawns only between midnight and 10 a.m. Odd-numbered addresses should water on Tuesdays and even-numbered addresses on Wednesdays.
For those with hose-end sprinklers, use them from 6 to 10 a.m. or 6-10 p.m. on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.
Households with handheld hoses and drip irrigation can water lawns anytime.
Fix plumbing or service leaks within 48 hours after written notice.
Indoor use
Restaurants will serve tap water only upon request.
Hotels, motels and B&Bs will ask guests to reuse towels and bedsheets if they are staying more than one night.
Buchan said other tips to help conserve water include taking shorter showers, washing clothes when there is a full load as well as washing dishes or running the dishwasher when there is a full load.
Right now, Raleigh's reservoir Falls Lake remains at 69%. For Stage 2 water restrictions to be triggered, the reservoir would have to be at 45%. Buchan said another reason to move to Stage 2 would be if there are operational issues in the terms of meeting irrigation demand on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Meanwhile, outside the Triangle, Rocky Mount is also now requesting Stage 2 conservation, as the Tar River Reservoir has 84% of its water supply remaining.
