news-record.com

GREENSBORO -- The city said today it will relax some of its water restrictions due to improving water supply conditions.

Is relaxing the water restrictions right now wise? Join the discussion at the Debatables blog.

Officially, water restrictions will go from Mandatory Stage IIB -- restrictions that began Oct. 9 -- to Mandatory Stage IIA.

The basic difference is that sprinkler systems and hose-end sprinklers will be allowed one day per week, and home car washing is allowed. The changes are effective today. The one day per week that Greensboro residents can use sprinklers is the day of garbage service; commercial and customers outside the city may use sprinklers on Wednesday.

Recent rains, reduced consumption, purchased water from other cities and the ability to augment the city's supply with transfer from the Haw River have lifted lake volumes to over 90 percent of full and streamflow is continuing to raise levels, the city stated in a news release.

"Based on the experience of the city during the drought of 2001-2002, and the connection to Burlington and the augmentation with the Haw River, Water Resources staff has recommended the relaxation as safe at this time," the city stated in a news release.

"We feel it creates an undue hardship to residents to not allow the one day per week irrigation that will help in spring planting," stated Allan Williams, director of water resources for Greensboro.

Greensboro cautioned water users that irrigation should only be used when necessary to keep demand down.

The drought is not over and should demands increase or natural conditions deteriorate the change in stages can be altered.