City Council Approves Stage 2 Water Restrictions

February, 05, 2008 , by Chad

The Raleigh City Council approved stage 2 water restrictions on Tuesday amidst a widespread landscaping industry protest. The chambers were packed out into the hallway as the eight member council unanimously approved the ban on all outdoor water use.

Mayor Meeker would like the ban to go into effect on February 15th. The ban will include pressure washing, all outdoor water use, use of water-cooled air conditioners that do not recycle water, all non-essential use of water for commercial or public use, and will prohibit restaurants from serving water, except by request. Car washes will also be closed unless they recycle their water.

At this time, the supply in Falls Lake is predicted to last until May.

Along with landscaping, nursuries, and golf course maintenance, the residential construction industry will be greatly affected by this drought. The phase 2 restrictions will prevent the flushing of new water lines to clean and test them—a standard requirement for any new construction. There has been a lot of discussion about the possible recapture of water used for this purpose and an advisory committee recommended excluding builders that recycle their test water.

Although he joined the council in giving an ‘aye’ Council member Philip Isley dissented by stating that “we’re putting people out of business.” Rather, it is not the council that may put companies out of business, it is the drought itself. These industries rely on a major supply of a limited natural resource to sustain private enterprise. At a time when this limited public resource is at a threatening low it is the responsibility of our elected officials to preserve it for public health and sanitation requirements. The council made the unfortunate, but necessary decision.

Image Credits: Falls Lake December 1 2007 by Heather at NCCN
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