are they still in effect for raleigh?

2/19/2006 2:33:59 PM

pretty sure they are

2/19/2006 2:35:58 PM

yeah

2/19/2006 2:36:51 PM

are the carwash places paying them or what??

2/19/2006 2:37:20 PM

paying who, and paying what?

2/19/2006 2:45:15 PM

He means paying the citycouncil to let the restrictions remain in effect.

I'm mildly wondering why they havent been repealed or rolled back to stage 1 myself, last I checked the lake was nearly at full and we've had rain since. I'll check later and post whether the lake is full now or not.

We're at 250.6 according to the army engineers. Full is 251.5 so we're .9 of a foot down from absolutely full right now.

[Edited on February 19, 2006 at 2:55 PM. Reason : Added Lake level]

2/19/2006 2:51:20 PM

ahhhh

the lake is a foot and a third below full, which while not particularly bad, isn't too hot either. considering that we've had droughts of some sort every summer for the past few years, i don't think it's a bad idea to keep level 2 restrictions in place, both to store up water, and keep people used to conserving. then again, i think level 1 practices should be mandatory whether there's a drought occuring or not

2/19/2006 2:59:55 PM

i dont care bout raleighs water

i leave the faucet on all night

2/19/2006 3:08:23 PM

Our carwash used 175,000 gallons last month.

2/19/2006 3:23:22 PM

Well, what irritates me is I have no lawn, so dont use that, and we use about $12-15 worth of water a month. But I would like to wash my car myself sometime soon and it looks like living in Raleigh that isn't going to happen anytime in the next several years.
That, irritates me along with the piss poor planning and the fact that we're happily still selling water to other cities who to my understanding aren't under any water restrictions at all.

2/19/2006 3:32:36 PM

Quote :

" the fact that we're happily still selling water to other cities who to my understanding aren't under any water restrictions at all."

municipalities who buy water from raleigh are subject to the same restrictions raleigh residents are.

i looked for them, but i think under level one, you can wash your car at home. but since i never found the guidelines, i can't be sure.

[Edited on February 19, 2006 at 3:36 PM. Reason : ....]

2/19/2006 3:34:57 PM

my faucet is still running

2/19/2006 3:37:08 PM

Quote :

"But I would like to wash my car myself sometime soon"

who is going to turn you in, the water police?

I wash my own car, water restrictions or not.

2/19/2006 3:58:31 PM

Well water rox!!

2/19/2006 4:00:59 PM

Quote :

"Raleigh Remains Under Stage 2 Mandatory Conservation Measures Fines of $200 for first offense of unlawful use of water became effective Nov. 16 following the Raleigh City Council's Nov. 15 unanimous vote to move to Stage 2 mandatory water conservation measures. The fine for a second offense under Stage 2 is $1,000 and the third offense will result in water service being shut off. As of Feb. 9, 120 first-offense violations have been cited. Under Stage 2 restrictions, lawn watering is allowed only twice weekly; Tuesdays and Saturdays for properties with odd-numbered addresses and on Wednesday and Sundays for even-numbered addresses. As of Feb. 8, Falls Lake, Raleigh's water source, was at 250.30 feet, which is 1.2 feet below the level of the lake when the water supply pool is full at 251.5 feet. On Feb. 8, the National Weather Services rain gauge station reflected a year-to-date rainfall deficit of 2.3 inches. That brings the average rainfall deficit since Jan. 1, 2005 to 7.8 inches. The projection currently is that Raleigh has sufficient water supply storage for 242 days, based on the current 30-day rolling average pumpage of 40.95 million gallons per day."

Quote :

"ORDINANCE NO. 205 - 914 AN ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISII STAGE 2 MANDATORY WATER CONSERVATION RULES AND THE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION OF THE RULES. Whereas, current conditions are causing excessive and severe demand on the City’s water supply reservoir, Fails Lake, and City facilities; and Whereas, voluntary water conservation and stage I mandatory conservation have not resulted in sufficient reduction of the average day customer water demand at the water plant; and Whereas, it is necessary to implement additional mandatory water use controls in order to protect the public health, safety, and welfare through the provision of adequate water for drinking, sanitation, and fire protection services; NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE RALEIGH CITY COUNCIL THAT: Section 1. In addition to normal rules of voluntary water conservation and Stage I mandatory conservation, the following Stage 2 mandatory rules are in effect to restrict the specified uses of water from the City of Raleigh water distribution system: OUTDOOR WATER USES 1. Irrigate only when plants need water, If the grass springs back after being stepped on, there is no need to irrigate. Do not apply more than one inch of water per week. Water must be applied slowly to achieve deep penetration and prevent water run-off. Direct watering of impervious surfaces such as streets, parking lots, driveways and sidewalks is prohibited. a) Automatic Spray Irrigation Systems: Watering by automatic spray irrigation systems shall only be applied between midnight and 5:00 a.m. and between 10:00 p.m. and midnight. Properties with odd- numbered addresses shall water lawns and landscapes only on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Properties with even-numbered addresses shall water only on Wednesdays and Sundays. b) Hose-end Sprinklers, Non-Automatic Spray Irrigation, and Hand Held Hose End Watering Devices: Watering by hose-end sprinklers and non-automatic spray irrigation devices shall only be applied between 6:00 p.m. to midnight and midnight to 6:00 a.m. Properties utilizing hose end sprinklers and/or non-automatic spray irrigation, with odd-numbered addresses, shall water lawns and landscapes only on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Properties utilizing hose end sprinklers and/or non- automatic spray irrigation, with even-numbered addresses, shall water only on Wednesdays and Sundays. Hand held hose end watering devices shall only be applied between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. and may be utilized seven days per week. c) Low Volume Drip Irrigation Watering by low volume drip irrigation may be used at any time of the week at anytime of the day. EXEMPTIONS The watering restrictions shall not apply to: a) properties using non- potable/reuse water for landscape irrigation, b) watering of commercial containerized plants and commercial plant stock in trade maintained for resale, c) visually supervised operation of watering systems for short periods of time to check system condition effectiveness, and/or d) plantings installed during stage two water restrictions or within 30 days prior to the onset of said restrictions. Property owners can obtain a 45 day Landscape Establishment Permit from the Public Utilities Department for the purpose of watering such plantings. The permit will be applicable during the installation and for 45 days from substantial completion of the installation. The permit will not be in effect during the peak demand hours of 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. This ordinance does not apply to systems utilizing low volume drip irrigation. 2. No swimming or wading pools may be filled after the effective date of this ordinance. The water level in any swimming or wading pool filled prior to the effective date of this ordinance may be supplemented only to the extent necessary to provide for proper operation and sanitary pool conditions. 3. No water may be added to any decorative fountain, pool or pond, except for what is necessary to maintain aquatic life. 4. Vehicles may be washed only at professional vehicle washing establishments. Washing vehicles at residences or other locations, except as specifically approved by the Public Utilities Director for this purpose, is strictly prohibited. 5. Washing of areas such as sidewalks, patios, decks, driveways, parking lots, streets and exterior building surfaces is prohibited. This restriction shall not apply to the washing of soiled areas for maintenance of public health and sanitary conditions or to properties using non-potable/reuse water. 6. Leaking water services or plumbing must be repaired within 24 hours of written notification by the Public Utilities Director. INDOOR WATER USES 1. Drinking water shall not be served in a public restaurant, except upon request 2. Hotels/motels/bed and breakfast inns will ask guests spending more than one night to use their towels and bed linens more than once between laundering. 3. Commercial and industrial customers should review their water uses and, where feasible, install recycle systems. Section 2. Violation of this ordinance may be punished by any of the means available to the City through the provisions of N.C.G.S 160A-175. The civil penalty amount for the first violation of this ordinance is $200.00 and a reoccurring violation $1000.00 further violation may result in interruption of water service to the offending customer. The City will issue written notification to the customer and occupant of intent to interrupt water service and twenty- four (24) hours later will interrupt water service unless the violation has ceased. Each day shall constitute a separate violation, If water service has been interrupted due to repeat violation of this ordinance, service will not be re-instated until the Public Utilities Director has determined that the risk to the City water supply has been alleviated or the Public Utilities Director is otherwise assured of compliance. Section 3. All laws and clauses of laws in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict. Section 4. This ordinance is effective upon adoption. Adopted: November 15, 2005 "

[Edited on February 19, 2006 at 4:44 PM. Reason : -]

2/19/2006 4:36:30 PM

Quote :

" who is going to turn you in, the water police? I wash my own car, water restrictions or not."

I would turn you in...simply b/c you think you don't need to follow the law, and are cocky about breaking it.

2/19/2006 4:50:04 PM

you go girl

2/19/2006 4:52:45 PM

Why the hell can you water your lawn twice a week but can't wash your car ever.

2/19/2006 4:57:27 PM

the no washing your own vehivle thing is bs due to the fact that they cannot legally shut down buisnesses with this, thus they target us the individuals.

2/19/2006 4:58:30 PM

Not on my fish tank.

2/19/2006 4:59:45 PM

^^^probably because you typically wach cars on non permeable surfaces, and watering your lawn cause water to percolate into the ground water system

[Edited on February 19, 2006 at 5:00 PM. Reason : j]

2/19/2006 5:00:20 PM

Quote :

"Why the hell can you water your lawn twice a week but can't wash your car ever."

might have something to do with drainage...just a guess, but most folks aren't washing their cars on surfaces that benefit from water. i can't see Bob Soccerdad parking his SUV on his carefully tended yard to wash it . Conservation is key.

Quote :

"the no washing your own vehivle thing is bs due to the fact that they cannot legally shut down buisnesses with this, thus they target us the individuals."

Like hell they can't. Do you not remember the issues power-washing companies were having with the restrictions?

2/19/2006 5:03:10 PM

What's the deal over 1.2 feet? They drop the lakes here as much as 70 ft every year.

2/19/2006 5:04:33 PM

70 feet?

for a lake to drop 1.2 feet in depth would mean the entire watershed is not draining properly, or there is no water

water is peacin out and aint no water clockin back in

[Edited on February 19, 2006 at 5:22 PM. Reason : b]

2/19/2006 5:05:01 PM

idiot

2/19/2006 5:13:24 PM

I washed mine the other day. Who gives a shit.

2/19/2006 5:19:59 PM

i doubt BigHitSunday's guess about letting people wash cars is because watering your lawn percolates
into the "ground water system" has anything at all to do with it. Raleigh gets its water from surface water. Groundwater has nothing to do with it.

On a side note, why don't they let people wash their cars in their lawn? Seems like you could get by it that way.

2/19/2006 5:24:30 PM

wrong, the ground water table is what keeps lakes at a certain level

2/19/2006 5:27:37 PM

Quote :

" On a side note, why don't they let people wash their cars in their lawn? Seems like you could get by it that way."

i'm guessing if you were willing to do so, you could avoid a fine by aruging that you were also watering your lawn
while the code explicitly forbids washing your car at home, taken before whomever is in charge, adhering to the spirit of the law instead of the letter will probably work in your favor, given the many they see who flagrantly disobey both.
I just wouldn't count on it

2/19/2006 5:27:58 PM

Quote :

"i'm guessing if you were willing to do so, you could avoid a fine by aruging that you were also watering your lawn "

Or, tell the water company the water is coming out on it's own.

2/19/2006 5:35:08 PM

Bighitsunday, you can't tell me that me dumping water out on the ground here in south Raleigh is gonna
affect the Falls Lake/groundwater level (which is very upgradient). The surface water here goes
towards southeast with groundwater mimicing surface topography.
I would agree with you if we were in the town of Creedmor, then we would definitely affect the level of Falls Lake.

2/19/2006 5:46:18 PM

ok youre right, im not totally familiar with the flow of the basin


i was thinkin u said it was totally inconsequential

2/19/2006 5:48:03 PM

on a side note, we should be thankful we aren't in midwest america with the Ogallala Aquifer, one of the largest in the world.
The people out there are dependent largely on this aquifer for their water supply.
Years and years of agricultural and other development have used up the groundwater faster than than it could be replenished, and the aquifer is drawing down at like 3 feet a year.

2/19/2006 5:58:49 PM

god

2/19/2006 7:41:48 PM

these water restrictions are like the "no dumping your oil down water drains" laws...they're there but nobody pays attention to them and chances of getting caught = small

2/19/2006 7:44:42 PM

washing your own car can use up to 10 times as much water as commercial car washes..

also.. ground water affects river levels.. not just lake levels.. the higher the river levels are.. the less water the ACoE have to release from Falls Lake, thus helping everyone.

2/19/2006 8:09:17 PM

Quote :

"washing your own car can use up to 10 times as much water as commercial car washes.."

[Edited on February 19, 2006 at 11:06 PM. Reason : 9]

2/19/2006 11:06:20 PM

^^well we could name every water biome that exists in the raleigh area

HOMIE

2/19/2006 11:08:13 PM

Mandatory water restriction is no longer in effect

City Council voted (unanimously, if I'm not mistaking) to lift the mandatory restriction

5/3/2006 12:13:46 AM

u are correct sir

well if they vote on it?

http://www.newsobserver.com/167/story/434926.html

5/3/2006 12:39:43 AM

^ if so, it's not up on raleigh-nc.org The warnings about fines are still on the front page.

They probably didn't repeal them.
Nevermind that in april we got well over the average amount of rain, and Falls lake is *over* the normal full limit (which the city predicted would not happen at all this year).

That and everyone i know who has a rain guage in their yard always reports more than the city reports for rainfall (by a large margin). Anyone know why? (not calling conspiracy, that one i'm curious about)

[Edited on May 3, 2006 at 12:42 AM. Reason : .]

5/3/2006 12:41:23 AM

^ yeh but we are still in a deficit for this year on top of the 6" or so deficit leftover '05

5/3/2006 12:43:00 AM

^ I want to know why they insist on going by a dead average instead of a range. and average is an average becuase there are low years and high years.

5/3/2006 12:48:14 AM

N&O is reporting it now but the Council unanimously voted to lift it @ yesterday's meeting:

http://www.newsobserver.com/114/story/435382.html

peace out, I'm going to wash my car!

5/3/2006 6:43:31 AM

dont be dense folks

you could have washed your car at any "pay" carwash during the restrictions.

Quote :

" Nevermind that in april we got well over the average amount of rain, and Falls lake is *over* the normal full limit (which the city predicted would not happen at all this year). "

yes, Falls Lake is up by ONE INCH the water rest. should never had been lifted IMO
I am still practicing my conservation and think it would be smart if everyone did the same

Quote :

"That and everyone i know who has a rain guage in their yard always reports more than the city reports for rainfall (by a large margin). Anyone know why? (not calling conspiracy, that one i'm curious about)"

ummm it rains in different amounts everywhere honey...
just b/c it only rains 1/10 of an inch at RDU doesnt mean it rained 1/10 of an inch everywhere

5/3/2006 9:11:59 AM

Quote :

"I am still practicing my conservation and think it would be smart if everyone did the same"

I agree. I've never been subject to the restrictions (well water), but conservation was a habit before the drought. Now it's second nature.

I'm not sure what possessed city council to think that lifting the restrictions was a good idea, seeing as how summer hasn't even begun.

5/3/2006 9:26:46 AM

Quote :

"the water rest. should never had been lifted IMO I am still practicing my conservation and think it would be smart if everyone did the same "

you are exactly right.

but i'm happy as hell they are lifted and will be watering my lawn all day long and washing my 2 cars and bike today. so fuck it.
yes, i'm that asshole who doesn't give a shit and the reason behind the world's problems, blah, blah, blah.

5/3/2006 9:28:15 AM

I conserved water last Summer and my front yard turned into a dust bowl.

I'm buying grass seed tonight and watering like crazy until I have a lawn.

5/3/2006 10:10:06 AM

Quote :

"but i'm happy as hell they are lifted and will be watering my lawn all day long and washing my 2 cars and bike today. so fuck it. yes, i'm that asshole who doesn't give a shit and the reason behind the world's problems, blah, blah, blah."

aha, i'm right there with you.

5/3/2006 10:22:00 AM

^^your grass won't grow now. Its better to plant in the fall...b/c it won't die in the summer.

5/3/2006 11:33:34 AM