Rain staves off tougher water rules

After a rainy finish to 2007, weather forecasters say dry conditions will prevail across the Triangle for at least the coming week.

Mike Moneypenny, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, told water managers Wednesday that the region likely won't see rain until at least next Wednesday.

Raleigh and Durham both saw their water supplies extended after several storms passed through the Triangle between Christmas and New Year's.

The water level in Falls Lake, the drinking water source for Raleigh and several surrounding towns, rose more than two feet during the last week of 2007. Raleigh now has 112 days of water supply remaining, assuming no more rain.

The fuller reservoir means Raleigh is unlikely to adopt tougher water restrictions over the next several weeks. City officials have promised to move to Stage 2 restrictions if the water supply in Falls Lake drops to 90 days.

Stage 2 would ban outdoor irrigation and power washing except when needed for sanitation.

The rains helped Durham extend its water supply in Lake Michie and the Little River Reservoir from 39 days to 60 days. Durham also has added an additional 30 days of supply by tapping in to Teer Quarry.

The rain also was a factor in the decision Wednesday by the N.C. Division of Forest Resources to end a statewide ban on open burning. The ban had been in effect since Oct. 15.

State officials lifted the ban in part so people could burn forest debris that could fuel wildfires later in the year.