Raleigh-Durham Drought Forces Residents to Cut Water Use

The ongoing drought in the Southeastern US is affecting the Raleigh-Durham area in a big way. Farmers, landscapers, car wash owners and others who depend on the availability of an abundant supply of affordable water, have been aware of the drought's consequences since last summer: their businesses have been hurt or shut down due to the lack of precipitation and/or government-imposed water restrictions.

Who is Affected by the Drought?

However, the average Triangle citizen has been only remotely aware of the drought conditions. Sure, Falls Lake and other water reservoirs have looked more like pastures than like lakes, but, to most area residents, that's a seemingly inconsequential side-effect of the drought. After all, our water taps are still running full-force. To some, the drought may have even seemed like a blessing: the weather has been sunny, warm and gorgeous almost every day this year.

How Severe Could the Drought Get?

In all likelihood, the drought is going to really make its presence felt this coming spring and summer. In fact, it is predicted to become so severe that the Army Corps of Engineers has announced that it is already devising plans to get emergency drinking water to the Triangle this summer via tanker truck and temporary above-ground pipeline, if necessary. The implication of this announcement is that, if the drought persists, some areas of the Triangle may run out of clean, clear drinking water and citizens in those areas may have to depend on emergency water shipments to quench their thirst.

Local governments are heeding these dire predictions and are phasing in some very serious water-use restrictions which will affect the daily lives of all of their citizens.

Guide to Raleigh-Durham Water Conservation Measures

Here's a guide to the water restrictions in effect in Raleigh and Durham , as of February, 2008:

Raleigh

As of February 15, 2008 Stage 2 Mandatory Water Conservation Measures Will Be in Effect.
In a nutshell, this means:

1. No irrigation, lawn watering, car washing, pressure washing or washing sidewalks, decks, driveways, etc., AT ALL with public water.
2. No filling of swimming pools, wading pools or hot tubs (water may be added to pools currently in use in order to maintain sanitary conditions but pools that are currently drained must stay that way)
3. Restaurants will not give you drinking water unless you request it
4. Most car wash businesses will be shut down: currently, only 45 car washes in Raleigh have been permitted to remain open.
5. If your plumbing leaks, get it fixed! Otherwise the city may shut down your water system until the repairs are made.

With the increased water restrictions come increased fines. The FIRST violation of these restrictions carries a $1,000 fine. Subsequent violations may cause the city to shut off your water.

Durham

Stage IV Severe Mandatory Conservation Modifications

Durham's conservation measures are similar to Raleigh's, although they do allow residents to hand water shrubs and vegetable gardens (with a watering can, not a hose) from 5:00-8:00 a.m. and 5:00-8:00 p.m.

In Durham, violating the water use restrictions will result in

1. A written warning for the first violation
2. A Notice of Violation for the second violation
3. Water service being shut off after the third violation. Water service can be reinstated once the resident pays a $400 water reconnection fee.

WRAL has posted a comprehensive list of Triangle-area water-use restrictions, including those in effect in Orange, Johnston, Chatham and Wayne counties.

Although the water use restrictions in Raleigh, Durham and other Triangle municipalities may seem extreme, they play a considerable role in extending the Triangle's available drinking water supply, and, currently, they are the only way that we can head off the worst case scenario: running out of municipal drinking water during the middle of our long, hot summer.