City Moves to "Stage II Water Shortage Warning" 

City Manager Ed Kitchen this afternoon signed the order to change mandatory water restrictions from "Stage III Water Shortage Danger" to "Stage II Water Shortage Warning." City Council made this decision at the January 6 Council meeting; however, Stage III restrictions had not yet been in effect for 30 days as required by ordinance. Stage II restrictions will go into effect at 4:30 pm on January 9.

Stage II Water Shortage Warning restrictions are as follows:

It shall be unlawful:

• To water lawns, grass, shrubbery, trees, flower and vegetable gardens except by hand held hose, container, or drip irrigation system. Provided, however, that a person regularly engaged in the sale of plants shall be permitted to use water for irrigation of their commercial stock in trade.
• To fill newly constructed swimming pools and or wading pools or refill, or top off, swimming and or wading pools.
• To operate water-cooled air conditioners or other equipment that does not recycle cooling water, except when health and safety are adversely affected.
• To wash automobiles, trucks, trailers, boats, airplanes, or any other type of mobile equipment. Provided, however, that any commercial car wash facility shall be permitted to use water for such purposes.
• To wash down outside areas such as streets, driveways, service station aprons, parking lots, office buildings, exteriors of existing or newly constructed homes or apartments, sidewalks, or patios, or to use water for similar purposes. Provided, that hand washing of exterior surfaces of a building for the purpose of preparing them for painting shall be permitted.
• To operate or introduce water into any ornamental fountain, pool, or pond or other structure making similar use of water.
• To serve drinking water in restaurants, cafeterias, or other food establishments, except as requested.
• To use water from any public or private fire hydrants for any purpose other that fire suppression or other public emergency or Water Resources Department need.
• To use water for dust control or compaction.
• To use water for any unnecessary purpose or intentionally waste water.

Although water restrictions are being eased from Stage III to Stage II, officials urge citizens to maintain their water conservation efforts.

Allan Williams, Water Resources Director, notes that part of the reason water restrictions can be lessened is due to successful water conservation efforts by the community.

"The City of Greensboro is using 20 percent less water than we were one year ago," he said. "This is because our citizens and businesses are conserving water successfully. Thus, less water is going out of our reservoirs, coupled with the fact that, with recent rains, more water is going in. While we can't control the amount of rain we get, we can control the amount of water we use, and this community is doing a fine job of controlling that amount."

Stage II restrictions will remain in effect at least 30 days unless the water situation worsens.