Raleigh, N.C. — Recent rains have prompted some area communities to relax restrictions on water use.

In Cary, a ban on outdoor watering expires March 31. A town spokesperson said Wednesday that the decision to extend or end the ban would be made close to that date. With Jordan Lake 3 feet above normal, the city may return to alternate-day watering.

In Goldsboro, residents will be allowed to water their lawns and gardens and even wash their cars at home on some days of the week.

In Raleigh, recent rains and conservation – customers have cut daily water use by about 2 million gallons since tough restrictions went into place last month – have raised the level of Falls Lake over the past two weeks. The City Council has said it would loosen the water rules once the lake level rises another 2 feet.