Water Management - Water Conservation Information

Durham Conservation Efforts, Water Restrictions and Water Supply Status Frequently Asked Questions

Are you doing your part to save water and help extend our supply? To learn more about the water use restrictions, reading your water meter or the status of Durham's water supply, visit the City's Web site.

Here is a list of frequently asked questions that can help you and your family during this drought period.

Q: What is the number one water consuming device in the home?

The toilet! You can reduce toilet water use/waste by doing the following:

  • Replace your old water-wasting toilet. Houses constructed prior to 1993 have toilets that use between 3.5 and 10 gallons per flush.
  • Use a displacement device in the tank if your toilet uses more than 1.6 gallons per flush. If you use a brick, make sure it is enclosed in a plastic bag to prevent deterioration. Another item to use for displacement is a plastic container filled with water.
  • Check for leaks frequently and repair immediately.
  • Consider taking a family pledge to reduce the number of flushes.

Q: How long should I shower? How can I save water in the shower?

  • Take four-to-five minute showers. You can save water by purchasing a new 1.5 gallon per minute showerhead at City Hall.
  • Turn off the water while you soap, shampoo and condition your hair.
  • Place a bucket in the shower and collect water while waiting for it to heat up. Use this water for toilet flushing, watering plants or for pets.

Q: How can I save water in the kitchen?

  • Wash and rinse dishes in a basin. Use the dirty water for plants.
  • Wash vegetables and fruits in a basin and use the water for plants.
  • DO NOT use the garbage disposal. Collect the scraps for composting or dispose in a solid waste container.
  • Replace faucet aerators with easy on/off toggle switch aerators.
  • Check for leaks frequently and repair immediately.

Q: Can you save a significant amount of water by using disposable plates, cups and utensils?

Yes. Most dishwashers use approximately 12 gallons of water per cycle. That equates to about 7.5 low flow toilet flushes.

Q: The Governor has requested that cities report weekly on water supplies. Does Durham have the capability to do that?

Yes. That information is collected daily and submitted to the State currently on a monthly basis. The City will easily be able to meet the new requirements using the State's electronic reporting format.

Q: How can I get a rain barrel?

Due to heightened popularity, the Department of Water Management's supply of rain barrels from Rain Water Solutions is limited. To get on the waiting list, call 560-4381. Other vendors may have more readily available supplies of rain barrels. An area listserve noted success in obtaining a rain barrel via www.pleasantgreengrass.com and other Web sites may provide information on how to build your own rain barrel.

Q: Why isn't the Teer (Hanson Aggregates) Quarry ready to be used as a water storage site?

The City is in the second of a three-phase development process to use the quarry as a long-term storage facility to provide an additional 1.32 billion gallon capacity for the City. The current timetable to have the Quarry available for long-term storage calls for 2009 completion. Staff is also developing an emergency operations plan to access and utilize the approximately 500 million gallons currently in the quarry. This is in addition to other options to supplement existing supplies.

Q: How can I keep up with how much water we have?

Customers are encouraged to check the City's Web site for daily updates on the water supply status. The number is fluid - changing as conditions and usage change.

Q: What are the City's alternatives for getting more water?

In addition to accessing water from Teer Quarry, Durham can access about 20 percent or 2 million gallons per day (MGD) of its Jordan Lake allocation of 10 MGD via the Town of Cary's water system. We also have agreements in place with other local water providers (OWASA and Hillsborough) who currently have excess water supply. There is also approximately 1.2 billion gallons of water below the intakes of the two reservoirs. This water is more difficult to access, but staff will utilize it as necessary. Using some or all of the above resources will add months of supply for the City.

Q: Why doesn't the City dredge Lake Michie and remove the accumulated sediment to make room to store more water when it rains?

The City has evaluated this option and determined it is not economically feasible. Estimates are that approximately 15 percent of the storage capacity may have been lost to sedimentation, requiring the excavation of about 3 million cubic yards. At a rate of about $25 per cubic yard to dig and dispose of the sediment, that would cost about $75 million. The City would recover only about 600 million gallons of storage capacity for that $75 million. Adding Teer Quarry provides 1.32 billion gallons of storage capacity for $15 million. Also, the sediment has been evaluated in the past and is not considered suitable for use as topsoil.

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