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Thursday, April 3, 2008

NC Drought Management Advisory Council

Here is a great website that provides a graphical view of North Carolina and who is being affected the worst by the drought.

Link: http://www.ncdrought.org/

According to the website, the following counties are under Extreme Drought:

Alamance CountyAlexander CountyAnson CountyBurke CountyCabarrus CountyCaldwell CountyCaswell CountyCatawba CountyChatham CountyCherokee CountyCleveland CountyDavidson CountyDavie CountyDurham CountyForsyth CountyFranklin CountyGaston CountyGranville CountyGuilford CountyHarnett CountyHenderson CountyIredell CountyJohnston CountyLee CountyLincoln CountyMcDowell CountyMecklenburg CountyMontgomery CountyMoore CountyNash CountyOrange CountyPerson CountyPolk CountyRandolph CountyRichmond CountyRockingham CountyRowan CountyRutherford CountyStanly CountyUnion CountyVance CountyWake CountyWarren CountyWilkes CountyYadkin County

Severe Drought:
Alleghany CountyAshe CountyAvery CountyBertie CountyBladen CountyBuncombe CountyCamden CountyClay CountyCumberland CountyDuplin CountyEdgecombe CountyGates CountyGraham CountyGreene CountyHalifax CountyHaywood CountyHertford CountyHoke CountyJackson CountyLenoir CountyMacon CountyMadison CountyMartin CountyMitchell CountyNorthampton CountyPitt CountyRobeson CountySampson CountyScotland CountyStokes CountySurry CountyTransylvania CountyWatauga CountyWayne CountyWilson CountyYancey County

Moderate Drought:
Beaufort CountyBrunswick CountyChowan CountyColumbus CountyCraven CountyCurrituck CountyHyde CountyJones CountyOnslow CountyPamlico CountyPasquotank CountyPender CountyPerquimans CountySwain CountyTyrrell CountyWashington County

Abnormally Dry:
Carteret CountyDare CountyNew Hanover County

Drought information in Wilm NC

Wilmington's worst drought since 1931 is not just affecting us, but the entire Cape Fear region. Even after our recent rainfall, our precipitation is still over 20" below normal.
According to Governor Mike Easley, the state of North Carolina is suffering its worst drought in history. The Governor is encouraging all North Carolina residents to save water. We must continue our conservation efforts in order to ensure there will be an adequate supply in the coming months. There’s water in the Cape Fear River, so why do we have to conserve? There is a common misconception that as long as there is water in the Cape Fear River, there is plenty of water available to use.
While the City does get its water from the Cape Fear River, Wilmington’s raw water intake is actually located approximately 23 miles upstream in Bladen County. The actual source of our water is located at Jordan Lake in Chatham County, 130 miles upstream. Even if it rains in Wilmington, if Chatham County is dry, our water supply is in jeopardy. The City of Wilmington is the end user of this water supply, but several other entities also draw their water from this source.

Link: Full article on City of Wilmington website

Water Conservation

Why Conserve?Today, the state of North Carolina is experiencing its worst drought in history, and the City of Wilmington is experiencing its driest year since 1931. Water conservation is more important than ever. The Wilmington City Council adopted mandatory water restrictions and is asking all residents to help conserve water.

Full article

Water Restrictions in Wilmington NC as April 1 2008

WATER RESTRICTIONS
Click here to learn how you can conserve water.
Click here for local drought information.
Mandatory Stage 2 water restrictions remain in effect for ALL city water customers!
*New restrictions took effect April 1, 2008*
Along with the rest of the state, Wilmington is experiencing some of the worst drought conditions in history. To conserve dwindling water supplies and avoid more stringent restrictions this spring, the City Council has adopted mandatory water restrictions. Please note, the water restrictions are not related to the sewer moratorium which was recently lifted by the state.
It is important that all residents do their part to help conserve water during this time.
At their March 18 meeting, City Council passed recommended changes to the Water Restrictions Ordinance which took effect on April 1, 2008. Please note, we remain under Stage 2 water restrictions until further notice! The City of Wilmington has designated a Water Conservation Hotline and e-mail to address all water conservation-related questions, complaints or reports:
Water Conservation Hotline: (910) 341-0114 (TDD 341-7873/TTY 711)
Water Conservation e-mail: conserveh2o@wilmingtonnc.gov
Each inquiry will be logged in and followed up.
If reporting a violation, the date, time, location and nature of violation will be required.
Violators of the water restrictions will be subject to $500 civil citation (misdemeanor).
Private wells used for irrigation purposes are excluded; however, efficient water use practices are highly encouraged.
Golf courses are only to water greens if they have an alternate water source. The five area golf courses (City Municipal, Pine Valley Country Club, Cape Fear Country Club, Echo Farms, and Landfall) all have alternate watering sources, including wells and retention ponds.
These restrictions also apply to County customers who receive water from the City of Wilmington.
Highlights of the new Stage 2 water restrictions which took effect on April 1 include:
Irrigation:
ODD numbered addresses can water between the hours of midnight and 6:00 a.m. on Tuesdays & Fridays
EVEN numbered addresses can water between midnight and 6:00 a.m. on Mondays & Thursdays
There is NO watering allowed on Wednesdays, Saturdays, or Sundays
Applies to both residential AND commercial properties
Does not apply to private wells; however, it's highly recommended and encouraged to follow schedule
New Lawn/Landscape Establishment Permit
A permit will be required for new lawn (sod) & landscape installations
30-day permit will allow irrigation any day/any time as directed by contractor
After 30-day period, must conform to any water restrictions in place for irrigation
Permit form will be available on-line
Variance Request
A variance may be issued in instances where water restrictions cannot be met without threatening health or safety, or if there has been a significant change in circumstances
Permit form will be available on-line
Swimming Pools, Hot Tubs, Spas
No restrictions under Stage 1 and Stage 2
Permit required if Stage 3 or Stage 4 advisory
Permit form will be available on-line
Residential Vehicle Washing
Allowed on Saturdays & Sundays only
Must use 5-gallon bucket and hose equipped with nozzle/trigger
If possible, wash vehicle on lawn
Water restrictions matrix
Variance Request Application Form
30-Day Irrigation Permit Request Form
New Turf Irrigation Recommendations
Click here for tips on conserving water.
Click here for local drought information.

Link: Full article on City of Wilmington website

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Wilmington, Raleigh and Charlotte NC are growing

RALEIGH (AP) -- The Raleigh and Charlotte regions are among the Top 10 fastest growing metropolitan areas in the country.

U.S. Census Bureau data shows the Raleigh area ranking third with a 4.7 percent growth rate between 2006 and 2007. The region includes Wake, Johnston and Franklin counties, and it grew by more than 47,000 people.

Charlotte ranks ninth with a growth rate of 4.2 percent. The six-county region includes parts of South Carolina and gained more than 66,700 people during the year.

State demographer Bill Tillman told the News & Observer of Raleigh the data isn't surprising. He said both areas have been growing rapidly for years but cautioned that the numbers are a year old and the growth rates are based on a short time period.

The next fastest-growing region in North Carolina was Wilmington, ranked 20th nationally. Asheville ranked 100th.

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Information from: The News & Observer, http://www.newsobserver.com

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Link: WWAYTV3

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

rain barrels for sale on craigslists

there are a couple of rain barrels for sale on craiglist

town of wake forest, nc sells rain barrels

Contact info:To order your rain barrel, contact Betty Pearce at (919) 554-6120.

The rain barrels cost $90 each. Area residents may purchase rain barrels at Town Hall with cash, check made out to the Town of Wake Forest, or credit card. As a special service for electric and/or sanitation customers only, the Town of Wake Forest will deliver the rain barrels at no additional cost. Area residents who are not electric and/or sanitation customers, may pick up their rain barrel at the Wake Forest Operations Center, 234 Friendship Chapel Road.