Frequently Asked Questions about Outdoor Watering Restrictions
1. Why is the Town of Cary suspending automated irrigation?
2. When will the changes go into effect? How long will customers have to follow the new watering restrictions?
3. What are the new rules for outdoor watering? Can I water my lawn at all?
4. Will the Town of Cary still make an exception for customers establishing new grass or for seasonal reseeding?
5. Do businesses have to follow the restrictions?
6. Are citizens who irrigate with reclaimed water or wells affected by the restrictions?
7. Are there any restrictions on washing cars, driveways or houses?
8. Is the Town planning to issue fines to customers who don’t follow the restrictions?
9. What steps has the Town of Cary taken to reduce water consumption?
10. Who should I contact for questions about the drought and Cary’s increased conservation efforts?
Governor Michael Easley has asked all North Carolina residents to increase conservation measures due to severe statewide drought conditions. Although Cary citizens have been cutting back voluntarily and continue to support year-round water conservation through alternate day watering, the Town of Cary is answering the Governor’s call to do more by discontinuing all outdoor watering using automated devices, and asking citizens to voluntarily cut back on other water uses.
The new restrictions began on Nov. 1, 2007 and will continue at least through March 31. The Town plans to keep the ban on automated irrigation in place until the region experiences meaningful relief from the drought.
3. What are the new rules for outdoor watering? Can I water my lawn at all?
The Town of Cary is suspending the use of irrigation systems, sprinklers, or other automated watering devices. Hand watering is still allowed any day of the week. As long as a person is physically holding the watering device - such as a hose - it is considered hand watering in Cary.
No, the Town has discontinued issuing three-week exemption permits for establishing new grass or reseeding as part of the increased conservation measures. The Town is honoring the approximately 830 existing exemption permits already granted.
5. Do businesses have to follow the restrictions?
Yes. All utility customers in Cary and Morrisville connected to the Town of Cary’s water system will be subject to the new ban on automated devices, including businesses.
Due to the drought, the Town is providing an option for the development community to delay the installation of trees and other plantings only within buffers, streetscapes and common areas associated with all new development projects. Read the Town’s guidelines for this landscaping option.
6. Are citizens who irrigate with reclaimed water or wells affected by the restrictions?
No. The Town’s Nov. 1 ban on automated outdoor watering does not apply to reclaimed water system customers, citizens who irrigate with wells, nor does it prevent the Town from maintaining safe surfaces at its fields. However, the Governor’s call for increased conservation challenges all North Carolina citizens to reduce consumption, and everyone is encouraged to take extra steps to cut back on their water use.
7. Are there any restrictions on washing cars, driveways or houses?
No. The Town has not placed any restrictions on outdoor washing, including car washing and power washing. Citizens are encouraged to consider limiting the frequency of these activities in light of the statewide drought.
8. Is the Town planning to issue fines to customers who don’t follow the restrictions?
Yes. Customers will be given one warning for violating the new rules before any fines are assessed. Those who violate the rules a second time face a fine of $500, and fines of $1,000 will be issued for each additional violation. The Town could discontinue water service to a violator who violates the rules six times.
9. What steps has the Town of Cary taken to reduce water consumption?
The Town of Cary has increased water conservation by shutting down all ornamental fountains and switching to reclaimed water for street sweeping. Town vehicles are now washed only when needed for maintenance - such as removing mud from undercarriages - or for public health, such as washing down garbage trucks. The Town has stopped irrigating all playing fields not served by lake, pond, well, or reclaimed water with the exception of one field at the USA Baseball complex and three fields at SAS Soccer Park, all of which are required under contractual agreements to be maintained. The Town of Cary has also suspended firefighter training requiring water and postponed its annual testing of fire hoses and fire hydrants. Employees are being reminded to be “water wise” in all their activities.
10. Who should I contact for questions about the drought and Cary’s increased conservation efforts?
The Town of Cary will provide updated information about the drought and increased water conservation on its Web site, www.townofcary.org. To receive the latest Town news in your email inbox, subscribe to the Town’s electronic mailing list service.
Other sources of information about the statewide drought include: