Durham Bans Outdoor Watering, Except for Saturdays

Durham, N.C. — The City of Durham will tighten water restrictions again Tuesday, eliminating lawn watering and irrigation.

The new restrictions ban all outdoor watering with automatic sprinkler systems and hose-end sprinklers. Hand-held watering hoses or drip irrigation will be allowed on Saturdays only, between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m. or 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

“After re-evaluating our water situation this weekend, I feel it’s prudent to cut back even more and even sooner than we had anticipated,” Durham City Manager Patrick Baker said.

Since implementing moderate mandatory conservation on Sept. 21, usage has decreased by only 16 percent, significantly less than the city’s 30 percent goal.

“It is essential that we start working together to inform the public about the seriousness of our current water situation and how they can help make a difference,” Baker said. “With no significant rainfall in sight, we need to start thinking about ways that we can extend our water supply for the future.”

Durham's main water source, Lake Michie, is down 14 feet.

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NC_VET - at least when Durham added water restrictions in the first place they added tougher restrictions, and they were quicker to tighten the belt on usage. And this is even in light of the fact that Durham has TWO sources of water for the city's water needs.

I do agree that all outdoor water usage should be banned (lawns, car washes etc) but comparing Durham to Raleigh, when each has separate resources is ignorant.

TriangleMommy
October 16, 2007 5:58 p.m.

You can walk across Falls Lake crossing 85 near hwy 15 Butner/Creedmoor. Unbelieveable. iris you have a good point.

jlynwin
October 16, 2007 10:41 a.m.

Why is Durham not following example of Raleigh - STOP WATERING GRASS ?

NC_VET
October 16, 2007 10:38 a.m.

If our state is in such a drought then why in the heck has the city officials been letting people water there grass, use the car washes, that stuff is not important its just grass it will grow back, and like someone else said is October why are you watering your grass anyways, thats stupid. If there is any doubt in someones mind about the water shortage just drive to falls lake and take a look its terrible i have lived in durham for 40 plus years and i have never seen the lake like this.

dogsrule12cheek
October 16, 2007 10:36 a.m.

"It is essential that we start working together to inform the public about the seriousness of our current water situation and how they can help make a difference,” Baker said. “With no significant rainfall in sight, we need to start thinking about ways that we can extend our water supply for the future."

Yada, yada, yada. Mr. Baker: MOST of the public KNOWS. YOU & YOUR OFFICIAL COHORTS and BUSINESSES are the ones that need to "help make a difference" - NOW! Your little speech here makes you sound like a blowhard. Are you as impressed with your importance as you're trying to sound?

"...start thinking about ways that we can extend our water supply for the future." - HA - that's a laugh too. Where you been? Australia or somewhere out of this country for 6-8 months now?