The city of Raleigh is activating Stage 1 water-use restrictions effective Monday, April 20.

Stage 1 water restrictions are meant to protect the water supply while still giving residents options to care for their homes and landscaping.

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Here's what to know:

  • Automatic and non-automatic spray irrigation is allowed between midnight and 10 a.m. 
    • Homes with odd-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays. 
      • Homes with even-numbered addresses may water on Wednesdays. 
        • Irrigation of landscapes is recommended at a maximum of one-half inch per week. 
          • Water customers must abide by required water use reductions and efficiency measures; penalties apply for noncompliance. 

            For full Stage 1 water-use restrictions, visit RaleighNC.gov and search “drought.”

            City of Raleigh environmental coordinator Ed Buchan said the decision was made out of an abundance of caution and that the city is still a long way off from reaching stage 2 of water restrictions.

            "In the middle of a severe drought for most of North Carolina at this point, and it's been affecting the inflows of Falls Lake," Buchan said.

            Falls Lake is a major water source in Wake County.

            Buchan said the months of May and June are expecting "above-average" rainfall. 

            Buchan said Falls Lake has 84% of its water-supply pool remaining as of Wednesday. He said 58% of Falls Lake's water is for drinking water and the other 42% is for downstream releases.

            Buchan said Falls Lake is "always" full each year on April 1.

            "This is highly unusual from an environmental perspective," Buchan said.

            Buchan mentioned that the last time Raleigh had water-supply restrictions due to a drought was in 2007 and 2008.

            Watch: City of Raleigh discusses upcoming water restrictions amid spring drought

            The near record-high temperatures we're seeing this week are only making things worse.

            Highs on Wednesday through Friday will be in the lower 90s, while Saturday could reach the mid-90s.

            There has been no measurable rainfall since April 5, when we saw one-tenth of an inch at Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

            As of Thursday, we've only had two days of measurable rain over the last 30 days.

            The severe drought has expanded across North Carolina. According to WRAL meteorologist Grant Skinner, the severe drought covers 77% of North Carolina, but extreme drought conditions are up to 17% as of Thursday.