FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                  February 19, 2008

TOWN OF CARY EXTENDS SUSPENSION OF OUTDOOR AUTOMATED WATERING THROUGH MARCH

CARY , NC – With the region continuing to experience an exceptional drought, the Town of Cary is once again extending its ban on using irrigation systems, sprinklers, or other automated watering devices for all Cary commercial and residential utility customers through at least March 31.  The ban on automated outdoor watering does not apply to reclaimed water system customers or citizens who irrigate with wells or from lakes.  Hand watering, pressure washing, and car washing are still allowed any day of the week, but the Town is urging everyone to continue to be conscientious about water usage. 

While the level of Jordan Lake has risen thanks to rain over the past several months, lake operations have not returned to normal; the US Army Corps of Engineers is still releasing much less water downstream because of the drought, which means that the actual lake level would likely be much lower without its intervention.

“As predicted, winter rains have not been able to bring our region out of this drought, and it’s important that we continue to chart a very conservative course with our water demand to ensure we have an adequate water supply for the high temperatures we know are just around the corner,” said Public Works and Utilities Director Steve Brown.  “Our success at managing the drought is due in large measure to our customers’ culture of conservation and to the prudent management of Jordan Lake by the Corps.  We appreciate the ongoing support of our customers throughout Cary, Morrisville, RDU, and RTP as we all work together to make the best of an unprecedented situation.”

The Town plans to keep the ban on automated irrigation in place until the region experiences meaningful relief from the drought.  Reducing these tighter conservation measures will be based on a variety of factors including the level of Jordan Lake , water plant operations, the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council drought classifications, and weather forecasts.  And by extending the ban on outdoor irrigation, Cary continues to support the Governor’s call for water conservation measures available at the Office of Governor Easley at http://www.governor.state.nc.us. 

For more about the Town of Cary ’s water supply, demand and comprehensive conservation efforts, click on the H20 icon at www.townofcary.org.

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