Winston-Salem voluntary water request remains active as drought persists

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities is continuing to ask customers to conserve water as dry conditions persist across North Carolina. The request is voluntary, not a mandatory water ban or restriction.

Stage 1 conservation measures took effect July 7, 2026. As of July 28, the request remained listed in recent official city information. Customers are being asked to reduce avoidable water use while utilities monitors supply and demand conditions.

What the current request asks customers to do

Customers are being asked to limit outdoor watering to no more than one hour per day, before 9 a.m. or after 6 p.m.

Utilities also asks households and businesses to repair leaks, shorten showers, run full loads in dishwashers and washing machines, and reduce discretionary water use. Customers are encouraged to limit vehicle washing and pressure washing, avoid using hoses to clean hard surfaces, and delay filling swimming pools when possible.

Those steps are especially relevant for businesses, lodging operators, landscapers and other customers with higher or more frequent water demand. Reviewing irrigation timers, checking outdoor fixtures and postponing nonessential washing can help reduce use without affecting basic operations.

Why utilities is asking for conservation

The local notice says utilities is monitoring conditions across the Yadkin River basin, system-wide water demand, levels at W. Kerr Scott Reservoir and flows in the Yadkin River. Those indicators help officials assess whether voluntary conservation is sufficient to protect available supplies.

The request comes as North Carolina faces broad drought conditions. The cited Drought.gov snapshot reported that 91.2% of the state was in D1 through D4 drought categories, ranging from moderate drought to exceptional drought, along with historically dry precipitation conditions.

Recent rainfall has provided some relief in parts of the state, according to WUNC, but it has not ended broader drought conditions. Conditions can vary significantly by location, so statewide drought figures should not be treated as a direct measurement of Winston-Salem’s reservoir levels or daily utility demand.

What could happen next

Winston-Salem’s water conservation policy uses a four-stage framework. The current Stage 1 request is the voluntary step. The policy provides a structure for stronger measures if system conditions or drought conditions worsen, but the cited notice does not say that Stage 2, Stage 3 or Stage 4 measures have been activated.

For now, residents and businesses should follow the voluntary schedule, address leaks and reduce unnecessary outdoor and indoor use. Customers should monitor official Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities notices for any change in the request or additional conservation measures.

Sources

• Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities water conservation alert
• City of Winston-Salem water conservation policy
• Drought.gov North Carolina conditions
• WUNC North Carolina drought report