While last night’s storm added more than a foot of water to Falls lake, today’s council meeting decidedly pushed the city toward a tiered pricing structure for Raleigh water services. The program is expected to start next spring- following upgrading of the billing software.
Additionally the council approved new water inspectors that would be visiting businesses and apartment complexes to insure low-flow faucets and shower-heads are being used. While the enforcement seems harsh it certainly seems necessary considering the current situation. Stage 2 restrictions have lead to a savings of about 3 million gallons a day out of a total of about 39 million a day. The situation is so dire that the council discussed public anxiety. The result was a comical exchange reported by N&O’s Bracken:
Koopman advocated sharing as much information as possible and preparing for the worst, while council member James West noted that focusing on doomsday scenarios could just heighten anxiety.
West’s “the glass-is-half-full” outlook prompted council member Thomas Crowder to note that Falls Lake is currently less than half full.
Crowder, witty retorts may be too much for someone worried about our citizen’s anxiety over a 100 day water supply. After all anxiety may lead folks to actually conserve more than required.
Raleigh hopes to have an agreement with Cary to buy water in an emergency situation by April first. This agrement would only allow for a minuscule, emergency source for water. The Army Corps of Engineers reduced the water released from the Falls Lake Dam by 50% on Monday, potentially extending the water supply by 30 to 40 days.
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