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Apex Toughens Outdoor Watering Restrictions

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APEX, N.C. — Starting next week, Apex residents will face the toughest water conservation efforts in Wake County.

Right now, Apex has plenty of water stored in two huge tanks.Homeowners have been allowed to water on alternate days, but that comes to an end next Tuesday.

"We have a prohibition against all automated irrigation systems. That means sprinklers are not allowed, soaker hoses are not allowed, that means professionally installed irrigations systems are not allowed," said Bruce Radford, town manager.

A diagram of the Jordan Lake water intake system shows the problem -- the water level keeps going down. Now at 49 percent capacity, Apex, which shares water facilities with Cary, must conserve.

"We feel as though we could always release our water conservation measures, but if the water runs out, there will come a time when I won't able to turn on the tap and we want to make sure that day doesn't come," Radford said.

Homeowners will be allowed to use hoses and buckets to water lawns and shrubbery. Washing of cars and homes will still be allowed, for now.

Businesses are being asked to reserve water on a voluntary basis.

Apex, Cary, Morrisville, parts of Research Triangle Park and parts of Wake County take more that 20 million gallons of water a day from Jordan Lake. However, Radford said on a hot day, the sun can evaporate more than 100 million gallons of water a day.

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