RALEIGH, N.C. — While the level of Raleigh's main water source, Falls Lake, is at a critical stage of emergency, Raleigh officials say calls to 911 reporting violators after hours is not considered urgent.

The city's emergency 911 call center, which fields about 3,000 calls each day, has received a number of non-emergency calls over the past few days, mainly after 3 p.m. until about 2 a.m.

"Adding those people who call about the water, that doesn't help us at all," said 911 Call Center Supervisor Jesse Creech. "It slows us down a lot. We can't get to the calls we need to get to."

Instead of calling 911 to report the violations, Public Utilities Assistant Director Donna Jackson says residents should call the Public Utilities number at

(919) 857-4540

.

"If they know their neighbors' sprinklers come on at a certain time -- if they notice, call and let us know and we will take a look later the next night or two," Jackson said.

Jackson says that inspectors do rely on tips because they cannot write a citation unless they catch someone in the act.