Water restrictions begin July 1

By David Bracken, Staff Writer

The last digits of Wake County addresses gained meaning Tuesday.

The City Council voted unanimously to adopt permanent year-round water restrictions beginning July 1. The change imposes alternate-day watering on all Raleigh water customers, governed by whether their addresses are odd or even. Neighboring Cary has had a similar policy in effect since 2000, and others are in place in Chapel Hill and Carrboro.

Raleigh's move, which affects much of the county, came more than a year after drought forced the city to enforce temporary bans on watering lawns and washing cars.

Here are the basics:

WHOM IT AFFECTS

Water customers in Raleigh, Garner, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Knightdale, Wendell and Zebulon.

WHAT SORT OF WATERING IS RESTRICTED

The restrictions apply to automatic and manual sprinkler systems as well as sprinklers that are attached to garden hoses. Watering with a hand-held hose is not restricted.

IF YOU HAVE AN EVEN-NUMBERED ADDRESS

You can water your lawn at any time on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

IF YOU HAVE AN ODD-NUMBERED ADDRESS

You can water your lawn at any time on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

WHAT ABOUT MONDAY? Never on Monday.

PENALTIES

First violation is a warning, followed by fines of $50 and $200. A fourth violation results in your water being shut off.