Nearly two-thirds of Triangle residents say individual households can make a "big difference" in water consumption levels, according to a survey released Friday.

Wake County Briefs:The city of Raleigh introduced a slogan -- "Slow the Flow, Save Some for Later" -- and an accompanying logo for a new water conservation campaign.

Triangle Briefs: The town of Hillsborough has lifted voluntary water restrictions.

Carrboro and Chapel Hill wonder about the OWASA board's vote to go to Stage One limits.

Triangle Briefs: A rainy start to spring may have dampened demand for rain barrels in Holly Springs on Saturday.

A weekly federal drought map shows recent rains have helped ease dry conditions across North Carolina.

Gov. Mike Easley is cautioning that now is not the time for local officials to abandon their efforts to conserve water.

The city's decision to return to Stage 1 water restrictions raises concerns that Raleigh is forgetting the lessons of a deep drought that hasn't ended.

The city is returning to Stage 1 restrictions today, a step back from the Stage 2 limits imposed in February that banned most outdoor irrigation and most outdoor washing.

But hold that flush: Raleigh's water restrictions still in effect.

A Rain Barrel and H2Oh! Education Fair, initially scheduled for today, has been rescheduled for Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. at the Eubanks Road Park and Ride lot.

Easley's effort joins Stanly County's in questioning who controls natural resource.

It may surprise some in the Triangle to hear that the region remains in an "extreme drought," given the much-improved water supplies.

Starting Wednesday, Holly Springs residents may water their lawns three days a week, and wash their cars and power wash their homes any day they like.

Even a plant lover like David Solow is applauding Durham's slow-drip approach to easing water restrictions.

Some curbs remain, some could return.

Thanks to recent rains, the worst of the Triangle's water restrictions are starting to lift. Cary today is dropping its ban on outdoor watering, and Durham officials are expected to say something about the possibility of loosening restrictions.

Nationwide, the American Water Works Association estimates that the typical single-family home uses 69.3 gallons of water per person each day for indoor purposes.

After months of attempting to rally Raleigh residents with everything from household water budgets to low-flow showerheads, city officials have created a water conservation mascot.

The water supply pool in Falls Lake was at 75.9 percent of capacity as of Tuesday, meaning the city of Raleigh isn't likely to ease its restrictions on water use anytime soon.

Candidates for governor were asked questions Tuesday about water and drought at a forum at Duke University.

It's hard to go through life without being personally touched by a mascot with a message.

With sources at near 60 percent of capacity, the authority might move back to stage 2 conservation, a level with lower rates.

Rising water levels allowed local governments to reopen some area lakes to recreation on Saturday.

Water managers estimate the number of days remaining by dividing the storage volume of their reservoirs by the average daily use, assuming no additional rainfall.

The city will refill Chavis, Lake Johnson and Longview pools with treated water that had been used to flush the water distribution system, according to a news release.

Durham residents might be allowed to water outdoor plants on a limited basis starting next week, though some city leaders are worried that will lead water users back into wasteful habits.

An overwhelming majority of randomly selected businesses and apartment complexes have installed low-flow water devices, according to a news release from the city.

Raleigh is waiting for lake to hit 90%.

The days of Durham buying water from Cary are numbered as Durham's reservoirs reached 93 percent of capacity compared with just 11 percent Dec. 23.

Stage Four water restrictions probably will stay in place for the foreseeable future, City Manager Patrick Baker said Friday.

OWASA will implement Stage 3 surcharges Monday in hopes of saving water.

Drought, grease and pollution are cited as reasons to enact a ban on new food grinders.

It isn't over. That's Gov. Mike Easley's message about the drought, one echoed by local water managers throughout the Triangle.

Triangle Briefs: A City Council subcommittee Wednesday delayed making changes to Raleigh's carwash certification program.

Triangle Briefs: County officials have lifted the countywide burning ban enacted last month in reponse to the drought and risks of forest fires.

Triangle Briefs: New maps produced by the city of Raleigh site show residents how much water their neighborhoods are using compared to other parts of town.

Gov. Mike Easley wants the General Assembly to give him and future governors more power to manage droughts.

Recent rains may have granted southern Orange County water customers a reprieve from higher fees scheduled to take effect Monday.

North Carolina reverses course on the reuse of water in which people or dishes have been washed.

Raleigh's inclusive system makes sense, supporters say, but not everyone agrees.

A day after torrential rainfall soaked the Triangle, water authority directors said customers need to keep conserving.

Triangle Briefs: Weekend rains added 45 days to the city's supply of easily accessible drinking water.

Fox Road Elementary School students have the extra duty of checking for leaky pipes and toilets or dripping faucets.

Triangle Briefs: Last week's downpours were enough to push Falls Lake to about 248.4 feet, or only about 3 feet below normal. Meanwhile, Jordan Lake has risen to about 4 feet above normal.

This week's rain was welcome, but it's not enough to get the hoses turned back on at the State Farmers Market. The water spigots the farmers use to wash tables, clean produce and water plants are all padlocked -- courtesy of the city's tight water restrictions.

Triangle Politics:During this drought, water has been exchanged for dollars. In December, the Orange Water and Sewer Authority assisted the city of Durham by agreeing to sell it 1.5 million gallons of drinking water a day for 30 days.

Mayor Meeker takes the long view about relaxing rules after recent storms.

The growing season begins with no considerable recovery from the drought in the Triangle.

Triangle Briefs: City officials Thursday warned residents against a false sense of water security, even though recent heavy rains have pushed Durham's supply to more than 300 days from all sources.