North Carolina drought tracker: Latest restrictions, water levels and drought impacts

Monday, the Fayetteville Public Works Commission (PWC) activated Stage 1 of the water restrictions.

Under stage 1, which is voluntary, customers are asked to reduce non-essential water use to help protect the community's water supply for drinking, sanitation, and fire protection.

Water customers are asked to do the following:

• Limit outdoor watering

• Avoid washing vehicles, equipment and hard surfaces

• Delay filling or refilling pools, ponds and fountains

• Avoid non-essential fire hydrant use

• Do not use treated water for dust control or compaction

Well water use is allowed during all stages.

"Small conservation steps made by many can make a big difference," said Timothy Bryant, PE, CEO/General Manager of Fayetteville PWC. "These voluntary measures help save the water supply for essential needs like drinking water, sanitation, and fire protection while PWC continues to provide safe, reliable, and affordable service to the community.

Fayetteville PWC says the restrictions apply to treated water provided by the city.

To see a full list of measures by stage click on Fayetteville PWC.

The Town of Spring Lake is asking residents to voluntarily conserve water until further notice to help protect the community's water supply.

Town officials are urging customers to reduce outdoor water use, limit vehicle washing and postpone filling pools, ponds and fountains. Residents are also being asked to follow a lawn-watering schedule based on their address number.

Officials said the conservation measures are intended to help ensure water remains available for everyone while demand remains high.

This week's U.S. Drought Monitor showed no major changes across central North Carolina, with drought conditions remaining largely the same as last week.

The most significant worsening conditions were confined to southeastern North Carolina, where drought expanded due to continued dry weather.

While some areas of central North Carolina received recent rainfall, officials continue to closely monitor drought conditions, reservoir levels and water supplies as hot, dry weather persists.

The City of Raleigh has started issuing fines to residents who violate water-use restrictions as central North Carolina continues to deal with severe drought conditions.

City officials said two fines have already been issued to one person for repeated violations.

"This is what I think they would say in law enforcement as a repeat offender, and that is very frustrating," said Raleigh Water Assistant Director Ed Buchan. "The message here is that this is a shared critical resource that we all have to use every day."

Officials say homeowners who repeatedly violate the restrictions could ultimately have their water service shut off.

As drought conditions persist, Raleigh Water has increased staffing focused on both enforcement and public education efforts.

While outdoor watering restrictions remain in place, irrigation systems can still be used during certain permitted times.

SEE ALSO: Water restrictions stage 1 start in Raleigh. Here's what to know

The drought has also created new business opportunities for some companies.

Ed Mutio, owner of Water Works Unlimited, said demand for irrigation systems remains strong despite the restrictions. Mutio recently celebrated 30 years in business and remembers the severe 2008 drought, when restrictions prevented him from installing irrigation systems.

City officials said two fines have already been issued to one person for repeated violations.

This time, he said, customers continue to call.

"We're busy as we can be," he said. "People are realizing that you can't water a certain amount of time on your schedule. It's hard to water at 10 at night or 5 in the morning."

Raleigh's primary water source, Falls Lake, is about 64% full. Buchan said the lake's level is roughly unchanged from last week, helped in part by rainfall that moved through the area over the weekend.

Still, city officials say significant improvement is unlikely without more sustained rainfall.

"We're not going to be gaining ground most likely anytime soon," said Buchan. "We want people, especially on those non irrigation days, to use the same amount of water they did in March and then that will really help us out."

Officials continue to encourage residents to conserve water as drought conditions persist across the region.