Triangle, North Carolina.  Water Shortage Causes More Building Problems.  Raleigh has implemented stage 2 mandatory water conservation measures.  These measures prohibit water use for flushing and bacteriological testing of new water main extensions.  Power washing has also been banned.  Companies can purchase reuse water from other municipalities to take care of these needs if they can find sources and ways to transport it.  The city will also stop issuing new landscape establishment permits. 

Another contractor water need problem that almost no one would ever think of is that of washing bricks.  After they are placed they need to be power washed.  Local contractors are busy beating the bushes for sources of reuse water for this purpose as well.  As with most things dark problems often product some bright side effects.  “Green” factors coming to the fore are such things as waterless urinals, new types of landscaping materials, low flow fixtures and double flush toilets.  The water situation is serious and many businesses are stepping up to provide solutions to many of the needs and problems caused by it.

John Fish (919) 696-3474   Email: Marvmax@mindspring.com   Website: www.johnfish.com

Triangle, North Carolina.  New Water Use Restrictions Hurt Local Businesses.  Starting Feb. 15 the screws will be tightened further on how Triangle residents can use water.  We are about to get to a place where you have to get primed to spit and need to get a permit to do that!  The effect on local and state businesses such as landscaping, nursery, power washing and auto washing is to a point where many companies are laying off most of their employees while others are shutting down entirely.  The landscaping business in North Carolina is currently valued at $8.6 billion annually.  The N.C. Nursery and Landscape Associate said last October that the drought had caused 15 percent of the industries workers in the state to be laid off and the drought has gotten more severe since then.  Car wash companies that can’t recycle the water they use will have to stop operations as well.  The power wash business is practically dead in its tracks.

Raleigh - Starting Feb. 15 watering the lawn with a hose and automatic irrigation will no longer be allowed.  No new landscaping establishment permits will be issued.  Only businesses in the commercial plant business will be allowed to use drip irrigation.  Using a can or bucket to water will be permitted if the water comes from inside the home or if the source is rain barrels or reclaimed water.  Cary - No irrigation system, sprinklers of any kind or automated watering device may be used.  Hand watering is still alright if a person is physically holding the watering device.  Clayton - No irrigation any day of the week.  This includes automatic systems and hand watering with hose or bucket.  No new grass seed or sod may be installed.  Durham - No watering or sprinkling of any lawn.  A hand-held container may be used to water vegetable gardens, ornamental shrubs or trees but ONLY on Saturdays between 5 am and 8 am and 5 pm and 8 pm.  Johnston County - County water customers can’t use automatic irrigation systems.  Hand-held hoses can still be used on weekends.  Orange Water and Sewer Authority - Underground irrigation such as drip irrigation, low-precipitation bubblers, micro-spray, a soaker-hose system with auto-shutoffs or hand-held hoses or watering cans is limited to a maximum of one-half inch of water applied to plant material during any given week.  Only companies that sell plants may use spray irrigation with OWASA drinking water. 

For some reason the photo I included with yesterday’s blog doesn’t open full size when clicked on.  I will see if I can correct that and perhaps add an additional photo or two.  Sorry bout that.

John Fish (919) 696-3474    Email: Marvmax@mindspring.com   Website: www.JohnFish.com