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 continue conserving water to improve the reservoir’s levels.

“Since the voluntary water use restrictions were announced in September,” said Hillsborough Utilities Director Marie Strandwitz, “the reservoir rainfall has measured at 7.6 inches, and its level has observed a net 1.5-foot increase. We still need our customers’ assistance in allowing the reservoir to recharge to its Phase 1 normal level, which is an additional nine or so feet.”

The Hillsborough water system shortage was also impacted by the ongoing construction to expand the West Fork Eno Reservoir, which is currently in Phase II of the project. The reservoir’s level had already been lowered prior to the area’s historically drier months due to construction for the expansion. The reservoir’s existing water level was being maintained about four to five feet lower than normal to accommodate construction, equating to an estimated 88 days less of available capacity.

Hillsborough mayor Tom Stevens spoke WCHL’s Aaron Keck about the shortage and the reservoir’s expansion in October. He shared some practices the town suggested to its residents for water conservation.

“Sometimes we all just habitually run water when we don’t need to,” he said. “When you’re brushing your teeth, wet your toothbrush instead of running the water. If you’re waiting for hot water to come on, capture the cool water instead of letting it run down the sink. Avoid things are not essential, like washing your car or power washing your deck. And this is the time when if you have a leaky faucet or have been meaning to [install new fixtures], now is a good time to go ahead and upgrade so they use less water.”

 

 

 

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