News
February 13, 2008
Stage 2 Water Conservation Measures In Effect Friday
As of Feb. 15, all Raleigh water system customers are under Stage 2 water conservation measures. The municipalities of Garner, Knightdale, Raleigh, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Wendell and Zebulon comprise this water system.
The following measures are included in the Stage 2 Water Conservation ordinance:
- Prohibits the use of public water for irrigation;
- Prohibits filling new swimming or wading pools. Water may be added to pools to maintain sanitary conditions. Filling of pools drained for repair is prohibited;
- Prohibits washing vehicles at any location except at car-washing facilities that have been certified by the City of Raleigh to be in compliance with the requirements of the conservation certification program. A total of 45 car washes have been certified under the conservation program. (Please visit www.raleighnc.gov and click “Stage 2 water conservation measures” to review the complete listing of these certified facilities.);
- Prohibits washing of areas such as sidewalks, patios, decks, driveways, parking lots, streets and exterior building surfaces, except for soiled areas for the maintenance of public health and sanitary conditions;
- Leaking water services or plumbing will be interrupted immediately upon notification to the City of Raleigh’s Public Utilities Department. Water service will be restored when repairs are completed;
- Prohibits the serving of drinking water in restaurants except upon request;
- Prohibits all non-essential use of water for commercial or public use;
- Buildings with water-cooled air conditioners or heating equipment that does not recycle City-supplied water must adjust thermostats to the highest or lowest settings available, respectively, except when occupant health and safety are adversely affected;
- Requires innkeepers to ask guests spending more than one night to use their towels and bed linens more than once between laundering; and,
- Directs commercial and industrial customers to review water uses and implement industry specific best management water conservation practices.
The first violation of the Stage 2 ordinance carries a fine of $1,000. Any recurrence of the violation may result in interruption of water service.
Further Conservation Measures
To further conserve, all of the municipalities on the system are requesting that all businesses and residents on the water system take the following measures:
- Install low-flow shower heads and faucet restrictors by March 1, 2008. These devices are inexpensive and can save 30% of water used by showers and faucets. If your home or business does not have low-volume toilets, please place volume-reducing inserts in the tanks and,
- Use rain barrels for watering of shrubs, flowers or vegetables. It appears unlikely now that drinking water will be available for irrigation in 2008. The Raleigh water system municipalities are offering 80-gallon and 60-gallon rain barrels for sale. In Raleigh the barrels are available at the City’s Solid Waste Services office at 400 W. Peace St., from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information on the barrels and their availability in your city, contact Linda Leighton at 831-6890 or Linda.leighton@ci.raleigh.nc.us or visit www.raleighnc.gov.
Builders also are being asked to install low-flow devices and end exterior irrigation with drinking water in new development projects.
To keep up-do-date on the efforts to conserve water, please visit www.raleighnc.gov. For more information on conserving our water or if you have questions, please call the City of Raleigh Public Utilities staff at 857-4540.
Prepared by:
Jayne Kirkpatrick
Director
Public Affairs Department
For More Information Contact:
Dale Crisp
Director
Public Utilities Department
One Exchange Plaza, Suite 620
Raleigh, NC 27602
919-857-4540
|
