The recent rains have refilled both Lake Michie and Little River allowing the city of Durham to ease up on water restrictions.

City Manager Thomas Bonfield is lifting most mandatory restrictions, with the exception of outdoor irrigation restrictions which allow two times per week watering, and implementing Stage II Voluntary Conservation of Durham's Water Conservation Ordinance.

"I am pleased to report that with the refilling of our two water supply lakes at this time of year, thanks in part to the continued conservation of our citizens, we feel that we can lift most of our mandatory restrictions and allow our customers to address some long-delayed maintenance activities," Bonfield said in a press release. "We really appreciate our customers' compliance with mandatory restrictions and encourage them to continue many of their water-saving activities when practical."

Ongoing restrictions will continue to limit watering using in-ground irrigation systems or above ground hose-end spray irrigation systems to two days per week. The watering schedule will continue to be Wednesdays and Saturdays only, 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.

Stage II measures request that customers:

• Limit the use of clothes washers and dishwashers, and when used, to operate fully loaded.

• Reduce the flushing of toilets to the minimum whenever practical.

• Limit car washing to the minimum.

• Limit wash downs of outside areas such as sidewalks, patios, driveways, or other similar purposes.

• Limit hours of operation of water-cooled air conditioners if possible.

• Use biodegradable disposable dishes and utensils, both for residential and commercial purposes, where feasible.

Related Links

1. Drought Information