drinking water

Durham reservoirs fall to 34% as accessible supply drops to 87 days

Durham’s reservoirs lost another 2 percentage points in four days, and the city’s estimate of readily accessible water fell by three days. Stage 2 restrictions remain in effect as Durham County stays in severe drought.

Southpoint Access

Southpoint Access

— 5 min read
Share
Durham reservoirs fall to 34% as accessible supply drops to 87 days
South Durham Guides | Southpoint Access
Practical guides for eating, shopping, raising a family, finding work, and staying connected in and around South Durham.
Southpoint AccessWes Platt

Durham’s combined reservoir storage fell to 34% as of Oct. 26, down from 36% in the city’s Oct. 22 update.

The city now estimates that 87 days of readily accessible reservoir water remain, three fewer than in the previous update. Durham’s broader estimate, which includes harder-to-reach water and emergency storage at Teer Quarry, also fell by three days, from 159 to 156.

The latest decline came without additional measured rainfall at Lake Michie or Little River Reservoir. Both lake gauges also fell between the city’s Oct. 21 and Oct. 26 readings.

Durham remains under Stage 2 mandatory water restrictions, and Durham County remains in severe drought.

By the numbers

34%

Combined reservoir storage, down from 36% on Oct. 22.

87 days

Readily accessible reservoir water remaining, down from 90 days.

156 days

Total estimated supply when less accessible water and Teer Quarry are included, down from 159 days.

23.80 MGD

The 30-day average demand placed on Durham’s reservoirs, down slightly from 23.86 MGD.

31.40 million

Gallons of total water demand on Oct. 26.

31.92 MGD

Average daily demand during the first 26 days of October.

Both reservoir gauges fell

The city’s Oct. 26 readings show declines at both water-supply lakes:

  • Lake Michie: 329.26 feet, or 11.74 feet below full. That’s 0.57 feet lower than the Oct. 21 reading.
  • Little River Reservoir: 336.84 feet, or 18.16 feet below full. That’s 0.67 feet lower than the Oct. 21 reading.

October rainfall totals remained unchanged at 1.60 inches at Lake Michie and 0.77 inches at Little River Reservoir. The year-to-date totals were 29.48 inches and 22.42 inches, respectively.

The city marks its water data as provisional and subject to change.

Lower demand wasn’t enough to offset the decline

The 30-day average demand placed on Durham’s reservoirs edged down from 23.86 million gallons per day in the Oct. 22 update to 23.80 million gallons per day on Oct. 26.

That small decrease wasn’t enough to keep the accessible-supply estimate from falling. Readily accessible water declined from 90 estimated days to 87.

Durham’s total estimated supply now breaks down this way:

  • 87 days of readily accessible reservoir water
  • 50 days of less accessible water below the intake structures
  • 19 days in Teer Quarry emergency storage

Together, those sources provide an estimated 156 days of supply, but they aren’t equally accessible. The first 87 days represent water above the reservoirs’ intake levels. Reaching water below those structures would require additional measures, while Teer Quarry is a separate emergency source.

The estimates also aren’t a countdown to dry taps. They’re planning figures based partly on recent demand, and they can rise or fall as water use, rainfall, streamflow, and reservoir conditions change.

October demand remains above last year

Durham used 31.40 million gallons of water on Oct. 26. The month-to-date average was 31.92 million gallons per day, down slightly from the 32.06 million-gallon average reported through Oct. 22.

The October 2026 average remains about 4% higher than the October 2025 average of 30.75 million gallons per day.

The city’s total-demand figure includes water supplied from sources beyond the reservoirs. That’s why it’s higher than the 23.80 million-gallon 30-day average attributed specifically to reservoir demand.

What Stage 2 means for Durham water customers

Stage 2 restrictions remain mandatory for City of Durham water customers. The current rules include:

  • Don’t use spray irrigation, including hose-end sprinklers. There are no scheduled spray-watering days under Stage 2.
  • Hand watering, drip irrigation, and tree or shrub watering bags are allowed.
  • Don’t wash vehicles with city water at home. Commercial and institutional car washes are allowed.
  • Don’t use city water to wash sidewalks, driveways, decks, or building exteriors unless it’s needed for health or safety, or before painting.
  • Don’t add water to decorative fountains, ponds, or pools unless the water is recycled.
  • Restaurants should serve drinking water only when customers request it.

Some exemptions apply, including for properties operating under approved water-conservation plans. Residents and businesses should review the city’s Durham Saves Water page for the complete rules.

Get Connected

Southpoint Access Events Calendar
From Durham County Library programs and family activities to special events at local businesses and key public meetings like the City Council, County Commission, and Planning Board, our calendar brings it all together in one easy-to-use resource.
Southpoint AccessWes Platt

🤝 Support Our Sponsors

Local journalism in South Durham survives thanks to the generous businesses and organizations that make this work possible. 🧭

By supporting these sponsors, you’re helping Southpoint Access continue to deliver trusted, hyperlocal news and resources for our community - from school updates to neighborhood stories that keep South Durham connected.

Want to become a sponsor? Sign up here!

💛 Shop local. Hire local. Support those who support Southpoint Access.

Read more