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Durham's Estimated Water Supply Rises, But Restrictions Remain

As of July 23, Durham reported 175 total days of water supply, based on average demand of 26.42 million gallons per day.

Wes Platt

Wes Platt

— 3 min read
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Durham's Estimated Water Supply Rises, But Restrictions Remain
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Durham’s estimated water supply has increased substantially since the city’s last update on July 13, but recent rainfall hasn’t quite restored the reservoirs to normal levels.

As of July 23, Durham reported 175 total days of water supply, based on average demand of 26.42 million gallons per day. That includes:

  • 100 days of readily accessible reservoir water
  • 45 days of water below the reservoirs’ intake structures
  • 30 days of emergency storage in Teer Quarry

The city reported 87 days of supply on July 13. The new estimate represents an increase of 88 days, but the comparison isn’t as simple as 88 additional days of rainwater entering the reservoirs. The latest total includes harder-to-access reservoir water and emergency Teer Quarry storage.

Recent rain has helped parts of North Carolina, but Durham’s water supply remains far from replenished. Conservation also appears to be helping. Durham reports that demand has fallen about 12% since Stage 2 restrictions began.

Under Stage 2:

  • No spray irrigation with city water.
  • City water can't be used to wash vehicles except at commercial or institutional car washes that comply with restrictions.
  • City water can't be used to wash exterior building surfaces, decks, sidewalks, driveways, roadways, or parking lots, except when cleaning is needed before painting or to address health and safety concerns.
  • Customers using more than 100,000 per day are asked to reduce consumption by 30%.

Some exemptions exist, such as allowing residents to use drip irrigation, hand watering, and tree or shrub watering bags. The city also allows watering container plants and commercial plants offered for sale.

Other exemptions cover certain chemical treatments, brief supervised irrigation-system tests, and recreational fields, golf courses, and botanical sites operating under approved water conservation plans.

Potential violations may be reported through the city’s Water Restriction Violation Report Form or by calling Durham One Call at 919-560-1200.

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