share.triangle.com - Lifting water restrictions too soon? - Comments

yes, it's too early to lift restrictions

plusaf — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:45:51 -0400

first, for the simple reason that the soil isn't yet "refilled" with water, just Falls Lake. until upstream stream flows return to normal, the drought isn't over. get it? didn't think so.

second, if Raleigh grows 50% in population in ANY number of years in the future, the next drought restrictions won't be for a 30% water usage cutback, it will be a mandatory 45% cutback. don't you GET THAT??!?!?!?

and STILL, NOBODY talks about dredging the Lake or figuring out ANY way to INCREASE THE SUPPLY!

when the population doubles, the cutback will be a mandatory 60%.

THINK ABOUT IT.......... conservation is fine, but how much will we be willing to conserve. if the Army Corps of Engineers or the State can't find more SUPPLIES of water for us, we should do what we'd do with ANY "utility" that fails to meet demand: Fire Them.

still don't get it, do you?

plusaf
Northwest Raleigh
27613

Conservation is not an End in Itself

Visitor — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:47:55 -0400

Please remember that conservation is not an end in itself. It is only a means to correct a problem. Some people get so in love with the concept of conservation that they cannot tell you why they are conserving. They just think that it is the right thing to do. Wrong. With Falls Lake full, the fresh water overflow ends up in the ocean as salt water. Essentially, the water is wasted. I believe that it is better not to waste our resources than to feel good about some false sense of "conserving".

Don't lift the ban on water entirely

Visitor — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 23:09:10 -0400

I think we need to be careful about lifting the ban on water entirely. If we do get a dry spell which is highly likely in July/August, we could be in the same boat again. But I do think that businesses that require water to run should be allowed back to use water and I think as in Florida we should be allowed to water 1-2 days a week. I guess I see the one persons point about if he works then when will he water.
In general I think the drought has taught us all that we can conserve and value water by not wasting it. We will need this in the future with all the growth going on. I also like the idea of more storage.. good idea!

Yeah -- like wasting water

Visitor — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:07:06 -0400

Yeah -- like wasting water to power wash driveways and wash Hummers and SUV's. No the waste is not just the Army Corp of Engineers (although that was pretty stupid) it's power washing a house?? what is the purpose of that? Look at the water used foolishly like that. Or, having slip and slides on front yards of homes for kids that stay on for hours and hours. Sprinklers (oscillating and all the rest) should be banned -- only low flow water systems should be allowed. Let's think sensibly and stop wasting water that will be washed with rainfall. Think about replacing all the plants that take water like no tomorrow with drought tolerant plants and use more decorative single potting plants along with mulch and decorative stone instead of yards looking like nurseries. I don't believe plants in the front yard for mere aesthetics is more important than water to wash our clothes, take baths, cook and drink with. Find priorities and you'll "find" the water. And don't let the politicians tell you that everything is OK -- keep conserving -- summer's coming and it is supposed to be a hot one!

Water Restrictions

Just Wondering — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 09:05:07 -0400

It strikes me as odd that during all this discussion about water restrictions and water usage that I've not heard one single remark about increasing the capacity of water storage. Given the fact that I've not heard anything about a reduction of new homes being built, wouldn't it then make sense that we need to increase capacity?

Maybe it's too simple a concept, but if you increase the numbers of users of the current water supply without increasing the capacity or quantity, it seems to follow that you will use up current supply faster and we'll be right back where we were.

Increased capacity should be at the forefront of any of these discussions.

Washing decks not fun.

Wilbur Canup — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 09:03:55 -0400

OK, I understand reasonable water restrictions. What I don’t understand is restricting washing homes, decks and cars, to week ends only. People do not do these things multiple times a week. So where is the savings??? Power corrupts, breeding contempt. The Wise, use it sparingly.

Restrictions

Paul Bengds — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 07:47:00 -0400

Why are there restrictions on what day you can wash your car or your home? If I work all weekend, should I be penalized because I wash my car on a Tuesday? Do we have a problem with people washing their homes every day of the week, just like they used to water their grass every day? You should be free to maintain your property when it's convenient, as long as we are not under tight restrictions. I do believe that tiered prices will be a bigger deterrent to watering lawns than the threat of a ticket. There have only been 30 or 40 tickets issued city wide, which means many have gotten away with watering illegally, but if you got that extra 2-300 in your water bill every month or two, most people would police themselves.

don't confuse some with the facts

Visitor — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 07:46:00 -0400

Some people's reactions to mandatory water restrictions point out again how self-centered many have become. Apparently some are more than willing to deprive everyone and everything down stream of Falls Lake outflow of sufficient water just so they are not inconvenienced. What an incredibly selfish attitude. Simple arithmetic should tell us that the explosive growth we've experienced will have a large impact on a finite resource such as Falls Lake. If we are wise water conservation will become our way of life.

The Floodgates are Open

Voice of Reason — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:23:29 -0400

OK we are asked to conserve because the same forcasters that were wrong about a dry spring have not said they might be wrong about the summer too. But what the news did not report is that Falls Lake Dam outflow was increased dramatically today. This is the real reason we were so low was mainly because the Corps did not back off on the outflow when the rain stopped last summer. We reached critical levels before they were asked to restrict the output. We could lift the ban completely now by slowing the outflow again. "GIVE ME A BREAK !"

Way Overdue!!!

Buck — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 11:40:52 -0400

Lifting Water Restrictions is way, way overdue. Again and again, I can't believe how stupid Meeker has been during all of this.

Does he live in Raleigh or Chapel Hill next to the university?

I can't wait to vote him out of office.

Lifting water restrictions too soon?

mwilliam — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 11:19:42 -0400

Are Triangle municipalities such as Raleigh lifting water use restrictions too soon?