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As the heat intensifies and reservoirs run low, Durham is acting to protect its shrinking drinking water supply.
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Beginning Monday, the city will implement a mandatory Stage 2 Water Shortage Response. Triggered by drought that has rapidly depleted northern Durham County’s Lake Michie and the Little River Reservoir, these restrictions will change how residents and businesses are allowed to use water outdoors.
According to a city dashboard, Durham has 103 days of supply of easily accessible, premium water remaining in the reservoirs.
“As lake levels recede and we pump from the deeper, lower, bottom parts of the lake, the water can have more concentrated minerals and organic matter,” said Joe Lunne, a spokesperson for the city’s Water Management Department. “It’s still safe to drink after treatment, but that water can have a little more earthier taste to it. Water at the top is the premium water.”
Under the new Stage 2 guidelines, all outdoor spray irrigation and in-ground water sprinklers are strictly prohibited. There are no assigned watering days.
Residents looking to keep their gardens alive will need to rely on hand-held hoses, drip irrigation systems, or tree and shrub watering bags.
Also prohibited:
Topping off swimming pools is restricted only to replacing water lost through evaporation or spillage.
The water conservation effort extends to local businesses as well. Restaurants in Durham will only be allowed to serve drinking water if a customer asks for it.
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Large facilities consuming over 100,000 gallons of water a day are being asked to slash their usage by 30% and document their conservation efforts.
City officials urge the community to take the restrictions seriously. Most parts of the Triangle are under “exceptional” drought status, the most intense. There has been no rain at Raleigh-Durham International Airport since May 25.
In Durham, over 267,500 residents are affected by drought and 100% of the county residents outside the city limits are impacted.
Across the state, 9.5 million residents are in areas of drought, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The southeast region is often considered water-rich, according to the website, but droughts are not uncommon. The region’s longest-droughts were between 2006-2008 and 2010-2012.
Barrett Smith, Senior Service Hydrologist, NOAA’s National Weather Service “The State Climate office’s ECONet station at the Durham Water Reclamation Facility has received 7.06 inches of rainfall since January 1, 2026, which is about 12 inches below average based on data back to 2006,” said Barrett Smith, NOAA’s senior service hydrologist. “It’s also the driest start to a year on record there … I think it’s safe to say the Durham area is running 10-12 inches below normal since the beginning of the year. This is comparable to Chapel Hill and Raleigh.”
The new Durham rules are strictly enforceable under the city’s water efficiency ordinance, and residents who violate them could face civil penalties or water service interruptions. Water Management receives tips about violations. Lunne said a violation can’t be solely based on a customer call, but a city employee will need to physically witness a violation. There are five tiers:
More information about the city’s water conservation efforts can be found at durhamnc.gov/1061/durham-saves-water.
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This story was originally published June 11, 2026 at 2:04 PM.