Raleigh, N.C. — Despite the enforcement of mandatory water restrictions, water use reached near-record highs last week, said Raleigh officials.
The city's water use on Saturday, July 7, was the third-highest recorded at the E.M. Johnson Water Treatment Plant, authorities said.
The Falls Lake watershed, from which Raleigh draws its water, is in a moderate drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
The high rate of water use came despite permanent, mandatory restrictions that come into effect Monday, July 2. The regulations allow City of Raleigh water customers to use lawn irrigation systems only three days a week.
Code enforcers said they issued 202 warnings during the first eight days the restrictions were in place.
The water supply in in Falls Lake was at 81 percent Tuesday, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The lack of rainfall has caused the water level in Falls Lake to fall for the past five weeks, said Raleigh Public Utilities Director Dale Crisp.
Falls Lake was last full on May 24, said Crisp.
The rain gauge at the Raleigh-Durham Airport is 4.6 inches below normal for the year-to-date, according to the National Weather Service.



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July 12, 2007 2:31 p.m.
July 11, 2007 10:37 a.m.
Many have pointed out development restrictions, infrastructure upgrades, HOA rule changes as to lawns & appearance, bldg. code changes, new hookup restrictions - all problems that certainly need addressing. Help push for their enactment.
L0lly52: You call having a green lawn a "quality of life" & think others are trying to diminish it?? Oh my - you need to get a life!! You expect the "leaders to be responsible for adequate facilities"? Guest what - they're not!! And guess what else - they haven't adequately planned for growth. So take your frustrations and anger to the polls & elect someone who will. But for now, grow up and join the "green" movement because global warming is a fact, and the drought issue an intricate part of it.
July 11, 2007 8:46 a.m.
July 11, 2007 8:07 a.m.
July 11, 2007 8:00 a.m.