Contact: Allan Williams (336) 373-2050
Steve Drew (336) 373-7893
LaVelle Donnell (336) 373-4601

Mandatory Water Restrictions Relaxed One Stage

GREENSBORO, NC – (March 11, 2008) – Effective immediately, the City of Greensboro is altering its mandatory water restrictions based on improving water supply conditions. Water restrictions will go from Mandatory Stage IIB to Mandatory Stage IIA.

A full description of these stages can be found in Chapter 29.5 of the Greensboro Code of Ordinances and customers can find a summary of the IIA stage at http://www.greensboro-nc.gov/departments/Water. The basic difference is that broadcast irrigation (sprinkler systems and hose end sprinklers) is now allowed one day per week and home car washing is also now allowed anytime. The one day per week that Greensboro residents can use sprinklers is the day of their garbage service; commercial and customers outside the City may use sprinklers on Wednesdays.

Much of the Southeast remains in a drought of varying severity and the vulnerability of different cities' water supplies depends on many factors. The La Nina effect that is responsible for the dry winter is likely to remain in place for several months and the long period of extremely dry conditions has depressed streamflows well below normal at all times between rain events.

However, recent rains, reduced consumption, purchased water from other cities, and the ability to augment the City’s supply with transfer from the Haw River have lifted Greensboro lake volumes to more than 90 percent of full and streamflow is continuing to raise levels. Based on the experience of the City during the drought of 2001-2002, and the connection to Burlington and the augmentation with the Haw River, Greensboro Water Resources staff has recommended the relaxation as safe at this time.

“Our customers have paid for many improvements to their water system that have and will continue to provide safety and reserves that our department manages," said Allan Williams, director of water resources. "We feel it creates an undue hardship to residents to not allow the one day per week irrigation that will help in spring planting.”

However, Williams goes on to caution customers that irrigation should only be employed when necessary so as to keep demand down. The drought is not over and should demands increase or natural conditions deteriorate, the change in stages can be altered.

“We understand customers’ desire to use irrigation water, but will always keep the safety of the City’s water supply as a first priority,” he adds.

“We are very pleased to offer this change and we sincerely appreciate the outstanding cooperation we have received from customers in this and past drought events,” said City Manager Mitchell Johnson.

Williams (373-2050) or Steve Drew, water supply manager (373-5855) are available for more information. Lavelle Donnell, water education program coordinator (373-4601) is also available to offer details of water conservation methods residents and businesses can use.

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The City of Greensboro exists to partner with the community to build an increased quality of life for Greensboro. Critical to the City of Greensboro’s success is building public trust, maintaining a work environment which fosters employee commitment to public service, and making a difference in the lives of our citizens. The City of Greensboro has a dedicated professional staff of more than 2500 employees poised to implement aggressive programs and policies that deliver on its four core values of honesty, integrity, stewardship, and respect.