Q. We live in Raleigh and just set up two 65-gallon rain barrels by our house. After the last rain ... the tenth of an inch that we got actually filled rain barrel No. 1. My question is, now we've got 65 gallons of rainwater collected in barrel No. 1, and at this point, no plants that require watering. Am I allowed to use some of that, and go ahead and give my car a quick once over?

--Karen Cusimano, Raleigh

A. That's the beauty of rainwater: You can use it any way you want, said Ed Buchan, water conservation specialist for the city of Raleigh. The city's restrictions on irrigation, power washing, filling pools and washing cars apply only to city water.

That said, you probably don't want to use untreated rainwater for cooking, drinking or other human consumption, according to the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service. Rainwater is generally clean, though it picks up some pollution on the way down. But the path it travels to get into your barrel -- and the barrel itself -- can introduce all sorts of contaminants . Best to use your rainwater outside.

Reclaimed water available in Durham

Durham will soon begin giving treated wastewater to businesses and organizations in the city for irrigation and other uses that don't require potable water.

The service will lessen the effect of the drought for many businesses and organizations that use large amounts of water, according to Vicki Westbrook, deputy director of the city's Water Management Department.

The water, at the North Durham Water Reclamation Facility starting Tuesday, will be free to certified customers who attend a class and take at least 250 gallons at a time.

For schedules and registration information, call 560-4384 or see durhamnc.gov/departments/wm/reclaimed_water.cfm.