Current Water Response Stage

Stage: Year Round Conservation 

Quick Summary: Alternate Day Watering, Water Waste & Rain Sensor

For more information, see Water Shortage Response Plan summary below.

Current Drought Conditions

Regional Drought Status is determined by NC Drought Management Advisory Council and updated weekly.  The drought status designation provides broad trends on a variety of drought indicators. The designations are a determined at the county-level, and is not the same as water supply status. It reflects soil conditions, crop impact, stream flows, and ground and surface water levels. The drought status does not reflect how much water is stored and available for the community's use.   

Current Water Supply Conditions 

Jordan Lake is Cary's water supply. This reservoir provides Cary a robust and sufficient water supply for the long-term, although temporary periods of drought can occur and impact supply on a short-term. In such a time or during water emergencies such as pipeline breaks, Cary relies on its Water Shortage Response Plan (WSRP) to manage our water demand.  The  WSRP outlines  necessary actions for progressive water shortage response stages and the triggers that determine movement between stages.

 

Water Shortage Response Plan Summary 

Year Round Water Conservation (Alternate Day Watering , Water Waste & Rain Sensor Ordinance)

The Alternate Day Watering Ordinance applied year-round and specifies which days  automated spray irrigation is allowed based on odd & even addresses.  

Other measures include a water waste ordinance and a rain sensor requirement for automated outdoor spray irrigation. 

 Water Conservation is always encouraged.  Check out these Water Efficiency Tips to see how you use water more wisely

Water Shortage Stage Restrictions

A brief description of the major restrictions associated with each stage are summarized below and in the following table excerpt.  The restrictions on irrigation do not apply to reclaimed water.

For Stage 1 (One Day Watering; No New Turf Exception permits)

Only one day per week is allowed for automated spray irrigation (hand watering is allowed)

No new Turf Watering Exception permits issued.  Permits issued to begin more than 14 days after stage 1 declaration are rescinded.

For Stage 2 (No Watering; No New Turf Exception permits)

No automated outdoor spray irrigation is allowed (hand watering allowed)  No new Turf Watering Exception permits issued

For Stage 3 (No Outdoor Use; Limit Indoor use)

No hand watering, drip irrigation, subsurface irrigation, athletic field maintenance is allowed. Other outdoor water use such as pressure washing, car washing, filling/topping off swimming pools not allowed.

Total water use is limited to normal winter usage.  Visit the aquastar portal to see your winter usage.

Rationing (No Outdoor Use; Further Limit Indoor use)

Total water use to be reduced 15% below normal winter use.  Visit the aquastar portal to see your winter usage.

Water Supply Status Determination

The Water Shortage Response Plan (WSRP) outlines the various water shortage response stages & triggers.  Below are excerpts form the WSRP.

Stages

The table below indicates the actions required during each water shortage response stage

 

 

Triggers to change stages

Cary's water supply status is based on the number of days of water supply currently stored divided by the past 30-day average use. This days of supply metric assumes no additional inflow into Jordan Lake which means the number can fluctuate as upstream rainfall changes. Projected lake levels are updated weekly by the Army Corps of Engineers. This metric is the primary trigger for determining our community's water shortage response stage and voluntary or mandatory actions needed.  

This table indicates the calculated trigger levels for movement through the response stages. 

Stage	Triggers When Days of Supply Remaining is Declining
(Water Shortage declared)   Stage 1	Days of Supply Remaining is 120 days or less
Stage 1 to Stage 2	Stage 1 has been in place for 28 continuous days AND Days of Supply Remaining is 90 days or less
Stage 2 to Stage 3	Days of Supply Remaining is 60 days or less
Stage 3 to Rationing	Days of Supply Remaining is 30 days or less