With water supplies drying up in Raleigh and Durham, elected leaders in the Triangle's two biggest cities are considering tough new restrictions that could include a ban on new water customers.

Development in Raleigh and Durham effectively could be frozen until the region's severe drought lifts, because new homes and businesses wouldn't be allowed to tap into city water.

In Durham, which is down to about a 52-day supply in its two main reservoirs, the City Council on Monday put off for two weeks a decision on whether to approve a proposed 228-home subdivision near the Streets at Southpoint because of the city's worsening water shortage.

"I just can't in good conscience, knowing what we know now, say 'Let's move forward,' " Mayor Bill Bell said. "... We're operating in a different environment than we were two years ago, or even three months ago."

The move highlights the growing possibility of a moratorium on all development as Durham struggles to keep water flowing to existing homes and businesses.

Ditto for bigger, somewhat wetter Raleigh.

Raleigh's City Council on Tuesday unanimously authorized City Manager Russell Allen to move the city to Stage 2 water restrictions if Raleigh's water source, Falls Lake, drops below a 90-day supply of water before the council meets Jan. 8. As of Tuesday, Raleigh officials estimated 101 days of water left in the city's share of the lake north of the city.

Unless heavy rain raises Falls Lake, Raleigh's restrictions could tighten before Christmas. No more outdoor watering would be permitted, even by hand or with slow-drip underground pipes. Power-washing would be banned, and only approved car washes could stay open. Pools couldn't be filled.

The move also would prohibit the testing of new city water connections, which must occur before homes and businesses can legally be occupied. Those with previously issued city permits could proceed. But if the drought-induced ban lasted long, new construction eventually could be blocked.

"Ultimately, [developers] might not be able to tap into a water system," Allen told the council.

Tim Minton, executive vice president of the Home Builders Association of Raleigh and Wake County, said his group of 2,700 builders, subcontractors, and other developers hopes to work with city officials to find ways to test the water lines so construction could continue.

"It's a great concern for us," Minton said. "We want to do what we can to help with the drought, but if we're not building houses, the community's not growing. It could take years to recover from that economic impact."

Richard Okot, the owner of Raleigh's Powerwash King business, worries the restrictions would push him out of business.

In normal times, Okot said, he washes two or three houses a day. In November, he washed two.

"I'll still do a little carpet-cleaning, but house-washing is where the money is," Okot said. "I want to conserve water. But I've also got to pay my bills. If they shut it down completely, I'll have to go look for another job."

Tougher restrictions in Raleigh would crimp gardening, too. But some gardeners are resigned to the possibility of losing their flowers along with their grass.

"I would much rather be able to drink some water and bathe than to have my flowers grow in the winter," said Susan Hunter, vice president of Raleigh's Northclift Neighborhood Home and Garden Club. "Is there a choice? We're all in this together, and we have to do our part."

Lake level still sliding

Falls Lake, which has shrunk to less than half its normal size, continues its slide into record low levels. The lake is 8 inches below its previous record low of 1993, and dropping a little every day.

Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker urged city residents to eliminate all nonessential water uses.

If Raleigh enacts the more stringent water restrictions, violators would be fined $250 for a first violation during the first two weeks of the rules, increasing to a $1,000 fine for the first violation afterward. In either case, a second violation would result in the customer's water being turned off.

"I think everyone realizes how serious this all is," Meeker said.

Likewise, Gov. Mike Easley on Tuesday urged the state's residents to boost their conservation efforts, which have slackened a bit, judging by a slight increase in water use last week.

"I'm trying to get the message out to people: Let's just be really tight with the water between now and the end of the year, through the holidays, and we'll see where we are," Easley said. "Unless there's a constant reminder, you fall back into your old habits. Next thing you know, you're leaving the water on when you're brushing your teeth."

(Staff writers Matt Dees and Benjamin Niolet contributed to this report.)