Towns ease water restrictions following water line break

All indoor water uses are allowed, but both towns have banned all non-essential outdoor uses of water, including watering and car washing.

"You are free to cook, take a shower. We know people want to do that," said Mark Andrews, a spokesman for Holly Springs.

Utility operators said a water line from a Harnett County water-treatment plant to Holly Springs and Fuquay-Varina ruptured early Sunday.

Holly Springs has restored connections to Raleigh and Apex's water system.

"It looks like that we're going to be OK," said Fuquay-Varina Mayor John Byrne. "But you don't really know in a situation like this."

Signs about the water crisis have been placed around the towns, and workers have patrolled the streets, looking for unauthorized water use. In Holly Springs, violators face a $1,000 fine.

Fuquay-Varina resident Dianna Arnold ruefully said she learned about the restrictions the hard way.

Rodney Tart, Harnett County's director of public utilities, said an overnight lightning storm created a power surge that shut an emergency valve at a base plant, creating a bulge of pressure and rupturing the 36-inch pipe. The break flooded the room, shorting out all electrical controls, Tart said.

He expected a permanent fix to be finished later in the week.

The towns have been adding extra chlorine to their water lines to ensure water quality.