Most Raleigh businesses remain low-flow

Most of the local businesses visited by city inspectors in recent weeks have installed water-saving devices in their bathrooms, Raleigh officials said Monday.

The City Council in January asked residents and businesses to install low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators to conserve water during the statewide drought. An initial inspection in March of a few dozen, apartment complexes, office buildings, hotels and health clubs found widespread compliance with the directive.

Inspectors revisited a number of businesses between April 17 and April 24 that were found out of compliance initially and found most had since installed the devices.

All 10 of the fitness centers and all 20 of the office buildings inspected were in compliance. Of the 16 hotels checked, two didn't have low-flow faucets and one of those also didn't have low-flow shower heads. Of the 20 apartment buildings surveyed, one was lacking the low-flow faucets.

“This indicates a very high rate of priority and attention to water conservation,” City Manager Russell Allen said in a statement of the survey results.