Drought returns to sear Triangle

Most localities take pre-emptive measures to avoid the shortages that occurred in 2002

Drought has once again come to a Triangle region that is bigger, thirstier and more cautious about its water supply.

State water officials on Thursday reclassified central North Carolina from being abnormally dry to being in a moderate drought. Gov. Mike Easley asked North Carolinians to observe water restrictions and limit nonessential water use.

Despite the calls for conservation, water system officials in the Triangle say they are nowhere near tapped out. Reservoirs are still at near-normal levels, leaving most systems confident they can meet demand through a hot, dry summer.

In Durham, the water system recently ran a computer model that pegged chances of meeting summer demand at 100 percent.

Raleigh officials say that even if not a raindrop falls, there's enough water in Falls Lake to meet customer demand until Feb. 5.

But that confidence is cut by real concern. The rivers that replenish the Triangle's reservoirs are flowing at levels far below normal.

"Right now, it's like the bank account is full," said Penny Schmitt, spokeswoman for the Wilmington District of the Army Corps of Engineers. "But there are a lot of bills due and not a lot of income expected."

The region's growth has something to do with the piling debts -- all these new residents are contributing to record or near-record water consumption in Johnston County, Cary and Raleigh, according to water system officials.

So does timing. The recent dry spell has coincided with lots of people trying to give life to just-planted lawns and flowers.

"We have less water flowing in, but we're using a lot more than normal," said John Morris, director for the state's Division of Water Resources.

So Triangle systems are trying to cut back while they're still flush, a lesson learned during the drought of 2002, when most Triangle water systems watched levels drop to near-record lows.

"We're really trying to get out in front of it and avoid any situation like 2002," said Leila Goodwin, Cary's water resources manager. The town announced earlier this week that it would send out more employees at daybreak and dusk to "look for opportunities to help irrigators abide by watering rules."

More are ordering customers to be frugal. Johnston County officials have already enacted new restrictions, and beginning July 2 Raleigh will impose mandatory restrictions on much of Wake County.

In places where the new restrictions require a change of behavior, the conservation message is seeping out.

"It's been a while since Raleigh had them," said Georgia Springer, 58, who has a vegetable garden and lots of flowers in her West Raleigh yard. Springer said she has already stopped watering her lawn and is planning for a future where water is more scarce.

"We've gradually switched over to things that are hopefully more drought tolerant," she said. "But even those need some help when getting established."

WATERING RESTRICTIONS

Johnston County No irrigation on Mondays. Tuesday through Sunday, customers with odd-numbered addresses can water on odd-numbered dates; and vice versa for even-numbered addresses. The rules apply not just to Johnston County system customers, but also to customers of Clayton, Kenly, Four Oaks and Princeton, as well as customers of private systems owned by Aqua N.C. and Carolina Water Service.

Chapel Hill and Carrboro The Orange Water and Sewer Authority limits spray irrigation to three days a week between 8 p.m. and 9 a.m. and to one inch of watering a week. Spray irrigation is permitted at odd-numbered addresses on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; and at even-numbered addresses on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. For more information, visit www.owasa.org.

Raleigh New restrictions will go into effect July 2 for Raleigh as well as Garner, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Knightdale, Wendell and Zebulon. Under the rules, even-numbered addresses may use automatic and manual sprinkler systems anytime on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Odd-numbered households can water anytime Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. No one may water on Mondays. Watering with a hand-held hose is not restricted. For more information, visit www.raleighnc.gov.

Cary and Morrisville Even-numbered addresses may use automatic and manual sprinkler systems anytime Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Odd-numbered households can water anytime Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. No one may water on Mondays. Watering with a hand-held hose is not restricted. For more information, visit www.townofcary.org.

Durham Residents are asked to voluntarily conserve water.