Durham Faces Critical 81-Day Water Supply as Drought Looms Stage 3 Restrictions
Durham reservoirs hit a decade-low as central North Carolina drought persists. Officials warn of potential Stage 3 water restrictions as supply levels plummet.
POLICY WIRE — Durham, USA — The city of Durham is facing a precarious water crisis, with officials estimating there are only 81 days of accessible water supply remaining if current drought conditions persist.
The city’s primary reservoirs have plummeted to just 31% capacity, marking the lowest water levels seen in more than ten years. This severe decline has forced local authorities to seek out alternative water sources to meet ongoing demand.
James Lim, the water efficiency manager for the city’s Department of Water Management, noted that the situation has been a point of concern since the summer began.
While implemented mandatory water use restrictions in June, the city is now approaching the threshold that would trigger more severe Stage 3 drought measures.
The broader region in central North Carolina is struggling as extreme drought impacts local businesses and water management strategies. In nearby areas, Greensboro has already enacted Stage 2 mandatory restrictions to conserve dwindling supplies.
Across the state, wheat farmers are anxiously watching for rain to begin planting crops, as current forecasts show no impactful rainfall expected for the central region.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)em>
