WATER CONSERVATION
On average, residential use - that includes single and multi-family homes - accounts for 56 percent of total water use statewide, based on the most recent data received from the 527 systems that filed water plans with the Division of Water Resources. So, what you do at home really DOES make a difference. The fact is: water is a limited resource. And we all need water for life.
Making the decision to conserve water in everything you do - from shortening showers, to installing rain barrels - will make our limited water go further.
The best conservation is done one home at a time, one person at a time.
 ITEMS OF INTEREST
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All Mandatory Water Conservation Restrictions RescindedRocky Mount City Manager Stephen W. Raper has announced the rescission of the modified Stage I Mandatory Water Use Condition and Restrictions, which have been in effect since March 12. The city manager has called for a condition of
voluntary water conservation, effective Saturday, April 12.
"The drought conditions of the past year continue to improve, allowing for this ease of restrictions," said Raper. "Our water customers are to be commended for their ongoing cooperation with water conservation measures. As we continue to monitor our city's water resources, we are mindful that a change in conditions may require the reinstatement of mandatory restrictions."
Recent rainfall in the Tar River basin has returned the Tar River Reservoir and the city's two quarries to full level. The most recent drought monitor report, issued on Thursday of this week, continues to show improvement in water levels for our area. The report now indicates Nash County's drought status as moderate to
severe; Edgecombe County's status was reduced to moderate. The city's overall water consumption remains below normal.
Residents are encouraged to be conscious of water use and to limit usage of treated water.
The following is a timeline of Rocky Mount's conditions since the initial declaration of the water shortage:
- Request for Voluntary Conservation July 4, 2007
- Stage 1 Mandatory Restrictions August 11, 2007
- Stage II Mandatory Restrictions September 24, 2007
- Modified Stage I Mandatory Restrictions March 12, 2008
- Request for Voluntary Conservation April 12, 2008
The Old Mill Dam on Falls Road. This dam is critical to the operation of the Sunset Water Plant just upstream because it backs up the river.
The I-95 Crossing of the Tar River is considered the "top" of the lake.
This photo shows the normal flow over the dam at the Tar River reservoir. The State requires a certain minimum down river flow (in cubic feet per second) based upon the current conservation level. The minimum release rate is 60 cfs during Mandatory I Conservation or higher.
This photo shows water being released from one of the two gates at the Tar River reservoir dam. There are two gate sections, each of which can be raised and lowered hydraulically. In the picture, the gate closest to the camera has been lowered in order to remove debris from the overflow. This process can also be used to lower the level of the lake if the threat of a flooding storm is imminent. This is only performed when the reservoir is at maximum capacity.
The Hanson Quarry on NC-97. This will be a future water source when Hanson moves operations across the river to a new site. It is estimated that it will hold over 2 billion gallons of water or 60% of the Tar River Reservoir.
The City's quarries on Old Mill Road - pumping from these quarries into Maple Creek reduces the Reservoir Dam release rate by an equivalent amount. The red dots at the top of the lake on the left are the pump floats. These two quarries are critical during drought conditions and hold approximately 600 million gallons combined.
