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.

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