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Durham, N.C. – With both of the City of Durham’s water supply lakes now full, the City is easing restrictions and returning to Stage III Mandatory Conservation of the Water Conservation Ordinance, allowing for limited outdoor watering two days a week – Wednesdays and Saturdays, effective immediately.

Thanks to a series of rain events since the beginning of the year, both of Durham’s water supply lakes have completely refilled, up from a low of 11 percent capacity on December 23, 2007.  Lake Michie has water flowing over the dam and is completely full at 341 feet Mean Sea Level (MSL) elevation.  Little River Reservoir also has water flowing over the dam and is completely full at 355 MSL elevation. 

With current use at almost 20 million gallons per day (MGD), the City has a total of 321 days of water supply in Lake Michie and Little River.  This total assumes no change in demand, no additional rainfall and zero stream flows, and does not include Teer Quarry or the City’s Jordan Lake allotment. 

While full lakes and lower water use offer some degree of comfort to relax restrictions from the previous Stage IV Severe Mandatory Conservation, City Manager Patrick Baker said it is important that the City set clear triggers that will move the City to tighten restrictions again.  “Since our stream flows are still lower than normal and higher usage months are right around the corner, we need to be cautious about rolling back restrictions, and clear about when we will not hesitate to tighten them again,” he said.

“Given our experience last year, there’s a new normal for the City.  For that reason, our future triggers for tightening restrictions, if necessary, over the summer months of May through September when water use is at its highest, will put us well ahead of where we were with comparable lake capacities during the same period last year,” Baker said.

Triggers, which will be based on premium water supply (water above the intakes) in City lakes, are as follows:

If capacity remains above 80 percent, the City will restrict outdoor watering to two days per week, Stage III.  (Compared to last year, capacity had fallen to 40 percent when the City moved to Stage III in September.)

When capacity falls to 80 percent, the City will restrict outdoor watering to one day per week, a modified version of Stage III.  (Compared to last year, capacity was at 27 percent when the City restricted watering to one day per week in October.)

When capacity falls to 50 percent, the City will not allow outdoor watering, and will move to Stage IV Severe Mandatory Conservation. (Compared to last year, capacity was at 14 percent when the City moved to Stage IV in December.)
 

Baker said that there is still a need to ensure that the citizens make conservation a lifestyle change.  “As we move forward, we still need our customers to make water efficiency a year-round habit and continue to conserve wherever they can,” he said.  “With ongoing conservation and these restriction triggers in place, Durham will be much better prepared to withstand another record drought should that occur this summer.”

Stage III Restrictions allow Durham customers to water outdoor landscapes on Wednesdays and Saturdays ONLY, either between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m. OR 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.  Customers may only water during ONE of the allowed times each Wednesday and Saturday, and should be careful to avoid excessive run-off or water waste. 

Additional Stage III Restrictions include:

·     City water may not be used to wash down outside areas such as sidewalks, patios or driveways, except where a health or safety issue may exist.

·     City water may not be served at a restaurant except upon request by the customer.

·     City water may not be used to wash the exterior of a motor vehicle except where a private well system is used, or where 50 percent or more of the water is recycled or where it can be demonstrated that 30 gallons of water or less are used to wash the vehicle.

·     City water may not be added into a decorative fountain, pool, or pond except where the water is recycled.

Athletic turf is eligible for special consideration within the modified Stage III Mandatory Conservation Measures since athletic fields must be maintained in order to ensure player safety.  Institutions that use athletic turf, along with other industrial, manufacturing and commercial customers, may apply for a written license from the city manager to use water contrary to the modified Stage III restrictions if they can demonstrate a reduction in usage of 30 percent or more.  Special consideration may also be given for one-time draining, refilling, maintenance, and cleaning activities for both community and private pools.  Licenses will not be granted for installation of new sod or other water-intensive landscaping. 

The City will continue to use reclaimed water where feasible, for uses such as landscape irrigation, street sweeping, and filling of decorative water fountains, and encourages customers to do the same. 

City staff will continue to closely monitor lake levels, stream flows, precipitation and usage as Durham moves into the warmer months.  Customers can review information and water efficiency tips on the City’s Web site at www.durhamnc.gov or call (919) 560-4381. 

About the Department of Water Management

The City’s Department of Water Management is responsible for the operation and maintenance of Durham's water supply, water treatment and water reclamation (wastewater treatment) facilities, the collection and distribution systems (including meter reading) and customer billing services.  For more information on this department, visit the City’s Web site at www.durhamnc.gov/departments/wm.