Raleigh Could See Tighter Water Restrictions
Tougher water restrictions may be on tap for Raleigh customers. Mayor Charles Meeker said it is possible all outdoor lawn watering will be eliminated.
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The City Council will likely address what Meeker called "Stage 1.5" water consumption limits at its meeting this week.
Meeker said he would like regulations to further limit residential water consumption without impacting businesses as much as Stage 2 restrictions would.
Raleigh adopted Stage 1 water rules on Aug. 28. Water use has decreased by 18 percent, to less than 55 million gallons on an average day.
The City Council is also considering asking the Army Corps of Engineers to release water into the Neuse River from other area lakes. The move would likely preserve drinking water at Falls Lake for at least eight weeks.
Falls Lake is the primary reservoir for Raleigh and several Wake County towns. Lake levels are more than 7 feet below normal.
Stage 1 restrictions include:
- Using sprinkler systems only between midnight and 10 a.m. on Tuesdays (odd-number addresses) or Wednesdays (even-number addresses).
- Using hoses with sprinklers only from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Tuesdays (odd-number addresses) or Wednesdays (even-number addresses).
- Hand-held watering on the same times and days as sprinklers, as well as during those hours on Saturdays (odd-number addresses) or Sundays (even-number addresses).
- Washing cars only on weekends, although commercial car washes can operate seven days a week.
- Power-washing homes, sidewalks or driveways only on weekends, although commercial services can operate as normal.
The Stage 1 water restrictions apply to all Raleigh water customers, including those in Garner, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Knightdale, Wendell and Zebulon.
A first violation is a $200 fine and a second is $1,000. A third violation results in water service being shut off.
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