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As of Friday, High Point residents and businesses are asked to observe voluntary water restrictions.

Residents are urged to limit their water use based on their address: Those with even numbered addresses should water only on even-number dates, and those with odd-numbered addresses should water on days with odd-number dates, said Chris Thompson, director of public services.

The city also requests that people only wash their cars on the weekends, wash only full loads of clothes and dishes and shower instead of bathing since that uses less water, he said.

Recent rain in High Point and the surrounding areas in the past couple of weeks wasn't enough to increase the water levels in reservoirs.

As of Wednesday, the city's water supply was at 82 percent. Thompson expected that level to drop by this weekend. He said Oak Hollow Lake's water levels were three feet low and High Point City Lake's levels were 25 inches low. The city's public service department reports only three days of rain totalling less than an inch between Aug. 2 and 29.

Terry Houk, assistant director of public services, told the city council Aug. 20 that water usage is up from previous years. Normally, the water usage is 13 to 14 million gallons a day, but recent usage is at 18 million gallons. He attributed higher usage to irrigation and people watering their lawns.

"Historically, High Point has never been to mandatory restrictions," Houk said.

High Point City Lake's boat ramps are already closed. "If it doesn't rain, it may start to affect Oak Hollow (Lake)," said Steve Ankelein, special facilities manager of the parks and recreation department. That lake is a little deeper, so it's not affected by the lower water levels as City Lake, he said Wednesday.

The department began voluntary cutbacks on its water usage two weeks ago. Ankelein said that the department has stopped watering the greens at both golf courses.

The city's Web site has a link to other water conservation tips, including turning off the faucet as you brush your teeth or shave, checking for leaks and using a drip irrigation system to water your lawn and garden.

To learn more, visit http://www.wateruseitwisely.com.

Contact E.A. Seagraves at 883-4422, ext. 241; or eseagraves@news-record.com