Water Supply Status and Conservation Stages

Triggers and Consumption Goals for Conservation Stages

Trigger points are used to define stages of drought response. The City of Raleigh’s triggers are based on remaining water supply at Falls Lake and seasonal water availability. The City of Raleigh’s reservoirs tend to be fullest during the spring months of April and May and at their lowest levels in the fall months of October, November, and December. Raleigh’s drought triggers and rescission triggers have been developed to take into account this seasonal water availability. Mandatory water conservation measures will be triggered at lower available water supply levels during our drier months and higher water supply levels during our wetter months. The charts below show the triggers for each of the drought stages and corresponding months. Corresponding chards of when the stages will be rescinded are also shown.

For example requirements associated with Stage 1 such as alternate day watering will be enacted if Falls Lake drops to 40% of its remaining water supply in January or to 65% of its remaining capacity in June. Stage one requirements will then be rescinded if the Falls Lake Water Supply returns to 60 % of its capacity in January or 85% in June.

Drought Triggers for Mandatory Conservation Stages (% of Water Supply Remaining at Falls Lake)

Rescind Drought Stage Measures (% of Water Supply Remaining at Falls Lake)

Permanent Conservation Measures

Permanent Conservation Measures (PCM) are always in effect. Voluntary measures are always encouraged. PCM apply to Raleigh Water customers located in: Raleigh, Garner, Knightdale, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Wendell, and Zebulon.

Outdoor watering and washing of all types is allowed. Irrigation of landscapes is recommended at a maximum of one inch per week

Mandatory requirements in effect for all stages:

1. ALL irrigation systems and water customers must operate in a manner to prevent water waste and the application onto impervious surfaces, such as streets; sidewalks; parking lots and driveways.
2. Restaurants to only serve potable water when requested by patrons.
3. Hotels to only change linens when requested by guests.

Stage 1

Water customers must abide by required water use reductions and efficiency measures; penalties apply for noncompliance. Water supply conditions are significantly lower than the seasonal norm and water shortage is expected to continue.

Only the following activities are allowed during Stage 1:

• In-ground Irrigation Systems (auto and non)
  
  Odd Addresses: Tuesday | Even Addresses: Wednesday | Times: 12am to 10 am
• Hose end sprinklers
  
  Odd Addresses: Saturday | Even Addresses: Sunday | Times: 6-10 am & 6-10 pm
• Hand-held Watering
• Bucket Watering
• Drip Irrigation
• Athletic Field Irrigation
• Swimming Pools
• Car Washing

Irrigation of landscapes is recommended at a maximum of one-half inch per week.

The following is Prohibited:

• New Landscape Establishment Permit

Stage 2

An intense level of water use reduction and efficiency measures are required to avoid entering Stage 3.  Penalties for noncompliance are much higher than the previous stage.

Only the following activities are allowed during Stage 2:

• Hand-held Watering
• Bucket Watering
• Drip Irrigation
• Athletic Field Irrigation
• Swimming Pools
• Car Washing

Irrigation of landscapes is limited to hand-held hose, bucket watering, athletic fields and drip irrigation.

The following are Prohibited:

• In-ground Irrigation Systems (auto and non)
• Hose end sprinklers
• New Landscape Establishment Permit

Stage 3

Water supply conditions are substantially diminished and the remaining supply must be allocated to preserve human health and environmental integrity.

Only the following activities are allowed during Stage 3:

• Swimming Pools - only topping off for sanitary purposes
• Car Washing - only Reclaimed Commercial car washes & some self service days
• Pressure Washing - only for sanitary, health exceptions or reclaimed waters

ALL Irrigation is eliminated

The following are Prohibited:

• In-ground Irrigation
• Systems (auto and non)
• Hand-held Watering
• Bucket Watering
• Drip Irrigation
• Athletic Field Irrigation
• New Landscape Establishment Permit

Best Management Practices

There are several things that water customers may do if they care to be more efficient with their water usage:

1. ALL residential water customers are requested to limit their consumption to 65 Gallons Per Capita Per Day (GPCPD); and abide by the BMPs listed in Appendix A of the Water Shortage Response Plan (WSRP).
2. Irrigation of landscapes is recommended to have a maximum of one inch per week.
3. All water customers are expected to monitor their water usage to determine the weekly irrigation volume.
4. Water plants deeply and less frequently to encourage root growth.
5. Identify and repair all water leaks.
6. Wash only full loads in washing machines and dishwashers.
7. Use spring-loaded nozzles on garden hoses.
8. Try to water lawns early in the morning versus the middle of the day when evaporation rates are high.

Conservation Stages Activity Overview