As North Carolina endures its worst drought in 18 years, more communities are urging residents to conserve water.
Winston-Salem, Burlington and Wilkesboro have entered voluntary Stage 1 water restrictions — encouraging customers to reduce everyday water use.
The guidelines include:
- Keeping showers to 5 minutes or less
- Turning off the tap while brushing teeth, shaving or washing dishes
- Limiting lawn, garden and vegetation watering to less than an hour per day, only before 9 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
- Cutting down on vehicle and pressure washing
- Running washing machines and dishwashers with only full loads
Greensboro hasn't enacted formal restrictions, but city officials are asking residents to follow many of the same conservation practices.
Forsyth Utilities says following voluntary conservation now can help prevent required restrictions later.
Meanwhile, Boone remains under mandatory Stage 2 restrictions for a second week.