Rain expected Wednesday will provide a little relief from our ongoing drought, but we still have a long way to go.

WRAL meteorologists say we need about 10 to 12 inches of rain within a month to make it out of the drought. Falls Lake could see a small percentage of that needed rain on Wednesday.

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New data shows Falls Lake is at its lowest level ever for the month of April -- about 3 feet below full. The WRAL Severe Weather Center expects Falls Lake to get about a quarter of an inch of rain in the next seven days. 

Falls Lake is the main water source for city of Raleigh water customers.

As a result, the city of Raleigh implemented Stage 1 water restrictions for its water customers on April 20, and the restrictions will last until further notice to safeguard the local water supply.  

According to the city, water usage is down 35 million gallons compared to previous weeks.

Stage 1 water restrictions are meant to protect the water supply while still giving residents options to care for their homes and landscaping.

Here’s what to know about Raleigh's Stage 1 water restrictions:

  • Automatic and non-automatic spray irrigation is allowed only between midnight and 10 a.m. 
    • Homes with odd-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays. 
      • Homes with even-numbered addresses may water on Wednesdays. 
        • Irrigation of landscapes is recommended at a maximum of one-half inch per week. 
          • Water customers must abide by required water use reductions and efficiency measures; penalties apply for noncompliance. 

            The week before the restrictions began, April 13-19, Raleigh water customers were using an average of 68.61 million gallons of water a day and an average of 480.24 million gallons of water per week. 

            During the first week of water restrictions, April 20-26, customers were using an average of 63.53 million gallons of water per day and an average of 444.70 million gallons of water per week.

            This averages out to customers saving about 5 million gallons of water a day and 35 million gallons of water a week during the first week of water restrictions.

            Ed Buchan, assistant director for Raleigh Water, told WRAL News that Falls Lake has never been below full in the month of April. 

            Falls Lake is at about 80% of capacity. Stage 1 water restrictions were implemented when Falls Lake’s water supply hit 85%.

            For Raleigh to implement Stage 2 water restrictions, Falls Lake's water supply would have to be at 60%. Julia Milstead with the city of Raleigh said, "We are not close to Stage 2 water restrictions any time soon."   

            For full Stage 1 water-use restrictions, visit RaleighNC.gov and search “drought.”