ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. — Rocky Mount leaders hope to find drought relief from a new water source.

This week, the city tapped into two rock quarries it has been eyeing for nearly a decade. The quarries hold millions of gallons of water than can help out during droughts.

"It's been something we've been talking about since the drought of 1993, so these things don't happen very quickly even though sometimes people think they do," said Jay Van Hoose, water plant superintendent.

Water flowing into the Tar River is down by 90 percent this year, which means the quarries would come in handy.

Rocky Mount officials plan to build a permanent station at the quarry for future use.