The City of Raleigh says their water customers used an average of 61.7 million gallons of water a day last week, which is slightly higher than the week before.

Ed Buchan, assistant director of Raleigh Water, said he was expecting an increase in water usage given the warmer weather and lack of rain. 

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Falls Lake is Raleigh’s primary water source.  The lake’s water level is at 75% this week.  That’s down from 77% last week.

Stage 1 water restrictions -- meant to protect the water supply while still giving residents options to care for their homes and landscaping -- were implemented on April 20 when Falls Lake's water supply hit 85%. 

Since the beginning of Stage 1 water restrictions, Raleigh has issued 119 "education letters" to customers who have violated the water restrictions.

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

  • Automatic and non-automatic spray irrigation is allowed 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. 

             Falls Lake water level has to reach 60% for further water restrictions to be implemented.

            With water levels and river flows dropping as the drought continues, the US Army Corps of Engineers began releasing a little more water from Falls Lake Dam last week. This measure is to help keep the water levels and river flows at a minimum level for water supply.