Durham Water Restrictions Continue as Reservoirs Reach Half Capacity
Durham’s Stage 2 water-shortage restrictions remained in effect July 27, 2026, as the city’s reservoirs held about half their capacity and officials estimated 119 days of water supply under current conditions.
Reservoir storage had recovered to about 50% after recent storms, but the level remained below normal, according to the City of Durham. The city’s 119-day estimate was calculated as of July 26 and reflects current conditions rather than a guaranteed supply period.
The restrictions apply to all City of Durham water customers. They are intended to reduce demand while Durham Water Management monitors the city’s primary drinking-water sources, Lake Michie and Little River Reservoir.
What Stage 2 requires
Stage 2 prohibits spray irrigation with city water. It also limits washing vehicles and hard surfaces, including driveways and other paved areas, with city water.
Those rules affect routine outdoor water use by households, businesses and other customers connected to the city system. The restrictions are mandatory, not voluntary, and remain the active response level for Durham customers.
Stage 2 also sets a reduction expectation for the largest users. Customers consuming more than 100,000 gallons per day are expected to cut water use by 30%.
The combination of a systemwide restriction and a separate target for major users is designed to address demand across the city. Residential customers face limits on certain outdoor activities, while high-volume users are expected to make a larger reduction in consumption.
Complaints and violations
Durham had received 278 complaints since June 15 and issued three violations as of the July 27 update. The figures show that the city is tracking compliance while the restrictions remain in place.
The complaints and violations do not change the current Stage 2 rules, but they provide a measure of how the city is enforcing the water-shortage response. Customers using city water must continue following the limits on irrigation, vehicle washing and hard-surface washing.
Stage 3 remains possible
City officials said Durham could move to Stage 3 depending on water demand and weather conditions. The city had not moved to Stage 3 as of the July 27 update.
A move to the next stage would mean a tighter response to the water shortage. For now, the practical consequence for residents, businesses and other customers is that Stage 2 restrictions remain in force while officials assess reservoir levels, rainfall and consumption.
The 50% storage figure and 119-day estimate offer a snapshot of the pressure on Durham’s water system, but both can change as conditions change. Rainfall can improve reservoir levels, while higher demand or continued dry weather can reduce the estimated supply.
Durham’s drinking-water system draws from Lake Michie and Little River Reservoir. The city’s current response is focused on limiting nonessential use and reducing demand from the largest customers while those sources are monitored.
For city water customers, the next known decision point is whether conditions improve enough to keep Stage 2 in place or worsen enough to require Stage 3. Until the city changes the response level, the existing Stage 2 restrictions remain the requirements for Durham water use.
Sources
- Stage 2: Water Shortage Response Remains In Effect, City of Durham
- Durham Saves Water, City of Durham
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