The Town of Hillsborough is asking for residents to continue reducing their water use because of low reservoir levels.

The West Fork Eno Reservoir at full capacity can hold 786 million gallons of water, which is enough for an entire year of town use. An expansion project to the West Fork Eno Reservoir, which is used by Hillsborough, caused an initial decrease in water levels in 2018. The town established voluntary water restrictions in September when a lack of rainfall caused additional water withdrawal restrictions. Despite more rain through the fall and the project phase being finished, the reservoir is still eight feet below normal levels.

Hillsborough Utilities Director Marie Strandwitz says since it would take a lot of rainfall to fully fill the reservoir to the desired levels, the town is asking residents to try and use 10 percent less water.

“Imagine trying to fill up a swimming pool that is equivalent to 171 football fields in surface area,” Strandwitz says. “But this pool leaks, so you have to include extra water to see an increase.”

An additional project still needs to be completed before the reservoir can be filled to its new, expanded depth. The town is accepting bids through January 10 to raise Carr Store and Mill Creek Roads, which includes an existing bridge and a culvert. The reservoir is expected to be allowed to start filling to its new depth, about 10 additional feet of water, by the end of 2020.

More information on the project can be found on the town’s website.

Related Stories
‹
Despite Restored Water Operations, Town of Hillsborough Faces Extensive Costs From Flooding
While the Town of Hillsborough ended its conservation call for water and sewer customers after flooding damaged and contaminated its treatment plants, the road back to normal operations appears to be long for the small town. Historic rain from Tropical Depression Chantal led to flooding levels not seen for decades in Orange County, with parts […]
Hillsborough's Annual Water Quality Report Finds No Violations
The Town of Hillsborough published its 2019 Annual Water Quality Report and said it found no violations in its treatment over the year. In a release shared by the town government on Friday, Hillsborough revealed it treated roughly 584 million gallons of drinking water over the year and found no violations for the 150 substances […]
Hillsborough Lifts Water Withdrawal Restrictions from Eno River
The Town of Hillsborough announced Wednesday it has lifted its water withdrawal restriction against drawing from the Eno River. The restriction, implemented in September, was the result of a Stage 1 water shortage when the state saw drier than normal conditions in the late summer and early fall. Hillsborough urges town residents to still voluntary […]
Orange County Communities to Observe Martin Luther King Day Jan. 19. Here's How it Affects Services.
The observation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 19 will affect local government services around the Orange County community. Here’s what residents can expect this year: Town of Chapel Hill Most town offices will be closed Monday. Residential trash normally collected Monday will be collected Wednesday, Jan. 21. Curbside recycling collection will […]
Hillsborough Reinstalls Pump Station Infrastructure After Flood Repairs, But Relocation Challenge Remains
Hillsborough crews successfully moved its wastewater pump station off temporary equipment to a permanent pump after repairs from July's storm.
Top Stories of 2025: Vulture Controversy in Hillsborough Drives Ordinance Change and Enforcement Questions
A dispute between neighbors over one person attracting vultures to his property developed into a broader discussion in Orange County about wildlife ordinances and enforcement.
Orange County Communities to Interrupt Services for December Holidays (2025)
Communities around Orange County will interrupt their normal service schedules during the upcoming winter holidays. Here’s what customers can expect: Town of Chapel Hill Town of Chapel Hill government offices will be closed from Wednesday, Dec. 24 through Friday, Dec. 26. Residential trash collection will not be affected. Yard trimmings will not be collected on […]
Thanksgiving Holiday to Affect Local Government Services in Orange County (2025)
Thanksgiving will fall on Thursday, November 27 this year, and the holiday will affect several local government services around the Orange County community. Here’s a rundown of what residents can expect: Town of Chapel Hill Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28 are both town holidays. Residential trash collection will not be affected. However, there […]
Town of Hillsborough Cancels Contract for License Plate Reader Cameras
The Town of Hillsborough has cancelled a contract with the company Flock Safety for 10 license plate reader cameras around the community, it said in a release Tuesday. The announcement comes after the town’s Board of Commissioners held a closed session Monday night to discuss “data privacy concerns” related to the cameras. Earlier in the […]
2025 Candidate Introductions: Hillsborough Municipal Races
This year's local election cycle in Hillsborough is defined by continuity — as no challenger candidates filed to run against the incumbents.
›