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The Raleigh City Council adopted Stage 2
mandatory conservation rules last fall.
These apply to Wake Forest and
Rolesville residents because the city
owns the water and sewer systems in the
two towns.
Raleigh Public Utilities
Director Dale Crisp did not return
telephone calls about the number of
violations and fines and plans for
increased water conservation.
The stage 2 rules have been
slightly modified recently to allow
people to clean and fill their swimming
pools once this year, and they are urged
to do so soon before hot weather brings
increased water demand.
These are the rules we
should all be following:
1. Irrigate only when plants
need water. Do not apply more than an
inch of water per week to lawns. Direct
watering of streets, parking lots,
driveways and sidewalks is prohibited.
a. Watering by
automatic spray irrigation systems can
be done only between midnight and 5 a.m.
and between 10 p.m. and midnight.
Properties with odd numbers may water
only on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Properties with even addresses shall
water only on Wednesdays and Sundays.
b. Watering by
hose-end sprinklers and non-automatic
spray irrigation devices can be done
only between 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Again,
odd-numbered properties may water on
Tuesdays and Saturdays, while even
numbered addresses may water on
Wednesdays and Sundays.
If you are
watering with a hand-held hose you may
do so seven days a week but only between
6 p.m. and 6 a.m.
c. Watering by
low-volume drip irrigation may be done
at any time on any day.
There are some exemptions
for commercial nurseries and for people
using non-potable or re-use water.
2. No water may be added to
decorative fountains, pools or ponds
except to maintain aquatic life.
3. Vehicles may be washed
only at professional car washes.
4. Washing sidewalks,
patios, decks, driveways, parking lots,
streets and exterior building surfaces
is prohibited.
5. Leaking water service or
plumbing must be repaired with 24 hours
after written notification by the public
utilities director.
1. Drinking water will only
be served in a restaurant on request.
2. Hotels/motels/bed and
breakfast inns will ask guests spending
more than one night to use their towels
and bed linens more than once between
laundering.
3. Commercial and industrial
customers shall review their water uses
and, where feasible, install recycle
systems.
The punishments for
violating the ordinance are rather
stiff.
There is a civil penalty of
$200 for the first violation and a
penalty of $1,000 for a recurring
violation. If the customer persists, the
city may cut off his/her water service.
For tips on conserving
water, go to
http://www.wateruseitwisely.com/100ways.
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