Jordan Lake Shrinking; Impacting Communities

As of Aug. 20, the lake was down to 66 percent of the level needed to maintain drinking-water quality. Jordan Lake is the main water source for several area communities, including Cumberland and Harnett counties.

Mandatory water restrictions are scheduled to start Thursday in Harnett County. First-time violators will get a warning. It is a $35 fine for a subsequent violation.

Since 2003, the city of Fayetteville has imposed mandatory summertime water restrictions. Residents have only been allowed to water lawns three days a week, and fines range from $250 to $1,000.

"A lot of our customers did question why they had to do it, and we said all along it's a matter of being proactive instead of reactive," said Carolyn Justice-Hinson, Fayetteville Public Works Commission spokeswoman.

Officials at the Public Works Commission said residents have recently embraced the water restrictions, however, even though this year's drought has not been that hard on Fayetteville residents so far. The city has yet to impose hard-line water restrictions like those in Raleigh, but that could change.

"It (the drought) has not had an impact, but at the rate we're going, it is very likely that we will start having to move into stricter measures," said Justice-Hinson.

Fayetteville draws the bulk of its water from the Cape Fear River, which is running at 9.5 feet. If it drops to 9.4 feet, the city will initiate conservation measures such as voluntary water-use reduction.

“There’s nothing eliminated that they can do now, but we encourage them to reduce it (water consumption), and that’s something we really think everybody should be doing,” said Justice-Hinson. "We have been monitoring our customers' usage, which has been great."

Harnett County will also impose mandatory water conservation measures Thursday in light of falling Jordan Lake water levels.

All non-essential water use will be restricted to outdoor irrigation once weekly, according to the following schedule:

 First-time violators will get a warning. All subsequent violations will bring $35 fines.

Durham City Manager Patrick Baker said he hopes the new restrictions will cut water use by 10 percent. Residents are encouraged not to wash cars or water lawns.