Falls Lake Levels Continue to Rise

Raleigh, N.C. — Falls Lake, the main source of water for customers on Raleigh's water system, continues to fill following heavy rains last week. On Friday, the lake measured 248.82 feet, or 2.68 feet below full. The water supply, assuming no further rain, would last for 265 days, or until Dec. 4. The next rain is forecast for Saturday.

Since the Raleigh system imposed Stage 2 water restrictions Feb. 15, average water use has fallen by about two million gallons per day -- from an average of 40.3 million gallons per day to an average of 38.4 million.

Still, city authorities warn that the drought conditions that prompted limits on outdoor watering, pressure-washing and car washes are still in evidence. Customers are urged to make themselves familiar with the restrictions, which apply to all City of Raleigh water customers, including those in Garner, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Knightdale, Wendell and Zebulon.

Water uses that are addressed by the ordinance include:

• Outdoor irrigation is prohibited.
• Low-volume drip irrigation is allowed for watering commercial containerized plants and commercial plant stock in trade.
• Lawn and landscape irrigation establishment permits won't be issued.
• Pressure-washing home exteriors, pavement, decks and other surfaces is prohibited.
• Car washes are prohibited unless they have city-certified water recycling systems in place.
• Water levels in swimming or wading pools may be supplemented only to the amount necessary to allow proper operation and sanitary pool conditions. Filling new pools or those drained for repair after Feb. 15 is prohibited.
• Drinking water will not be served in public restaurants, except upon request.
• Hotels will request guests spending more than one night to use their towels and bed linens more than once between laundering.
• Buildings with water-cooled air-conditioners or heating equipment that don't recycle water must adjust thermostats to the highest and lowest settings, respectively, without adversely affecting health and safety.
• Commercial and industrial customers must review their water uses and implement industry specific best management water conservation practices.
• Leaking water services or plumbing must be repaired within 24 hours of written notification by the City’s Public Utilities director.
• Developers that flush new water mains with city drinking water must capture the water in city-approved tanker trucks and haul the water to a Raleigh treatment plant at their own cost.

A first-time citation carries a $1,000 penalty, and subsequent violations would result in interruption of the customer’s water service.