RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – Raleigh waters users, get ready for the first phase of restrictions due to the ongoing drought and related conditions. The restrictions which take effect Monday (April 20) include:
- Automatic and non-automatic spray irrigation is allowed between midnight and 10 AM.
- 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.
The restrictions impact all Raleigh Water customers in Raleigh, Garner, Knightdale, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Wendell, and Zebulon.
“Falls Lake has always been full on April first,” said Raleigh Water Raleigh Water Assistant Director Ed Buchan. “It clearly is not; it’s two and half feet down now.”
Buchan noted that a lack of rainfall is only one component putting pressure on water resources, noting that higher than normal temperatures are leading to increase evaporation.
He also notes that the water allocation for Falls Lake was adjusted to increase the amount of water allocated to system. He added that water is also available from Lake Benson and Lake Wheeler.
The lack of rain is also affecting the reservoirs in Duke Energy’s lake system, some of which are in the Charlotte area including Lake Wylie and Lake Norman.
Water restrictions are already in effect in Iredell County, with limits on outdoor watering.