Durham Water Director outlines stage two restrictions amid severe drought

Durham — The city's Director of Water Management briefed council Tuesday that Durham has moved into stage two of its water shortage response after an unusually severe drought reduced reservoir levels below seasonal thresholds.

Director Don Gley said the city's supply indicators hit stage‑one and stage‑two triggers in early June. "Normally Lake Vicki and Little River are at full capacity on April 1; this year we were about 85% on April 1," Gley said, describing how rainfall patterns in the drinking‑water watersheds north and west of the lakes failed to recover supply.

Stage two puts strong limits on outdoor water use: spray irrigation and irrigation systems must be turned off; hand watering with a shut‑off nozzle and limited drip irrigation remain allowed. Commercial car washes should be compliant facilities, restaurants are asked to serve water only on request, and there are restrictions on decorative fountains and splash pads.

Gley emphasized the response is temporary and data‑driven: "Moving out of stage two depends on consistent and significant rainfall in our watersheds. Our lakes must fill up." He said staff monitor the system daily and that enforcement will follow a tiered approach — education and warnings, notices of violation, fines and, only in repeated severe cases, service disconnection.

The city manager said staff will distribute the department's response memo to council and posted additional information and tips at durhamsaveswater.org.

Provenance: Director Gley's overview and Q&A with council start at SEG 736 and continue through SEG 837.

Speakers quoted: Don Gley (Director of Water Management).

Authorities referenced: Durham Water Shortage Response Plan (internal operational plan).