Raleigh’s water supply has improved substantially after a rainy summer, but city leaders are looking ahead as water demands are expected to increase significantly in the next decade.
The city’s water needs in 2022 were 170 million gallons per day; in 2030, the city is projected to need 218 million gallons per day.
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On Tuesday, the Raleigh City Council heard from Raleigh Water officials during the work session. They provided an update on the city’s drinking water supply, drought conditions, and the future of public water resources.
Falls Lake rose about two feet at the end of July, and Ed Buchan with Raleigh Water said he believes the upcoming cooler months will bring more rain.
“In the next three to four months, the latest weather forecast means above-average rainfall. That usually will refill our cycle,” said Ed Buchan, Raleigh Water Assistant Director.
As of September, about 79% of Raleigh’s water reserves remain. That has increased from roughly 60% in June. This has put Raleigh in a fairly good position, as the drought triggers when the water reserves reach 45%.
With the recent rainfall bringing Raleigh into the green, the city considers making changes to the water shortage plan. The city heard from two Raleigh water officials and will decide whether changes to the plan are needed.
Changes under consideration
What water exemptions are allowed? When will water restrictions be enforced? Should lawn irrigation restrictions remain permanently?
The council discussed whether the city should limit the amount of water households are able to use on a daily basis. One member proposed using incentives for those who limit their water usage.
The city was penalizing customers for using too much water, but some council members thought they were being too lenient with warnings.
"Nonfunctional lawns are a big drain on the water supply. The more we can reduce nonfunctional lawns, the better it is for all of us in the long term,” said councilwoman Megan Patton.
She also suggested that the city provide residents with technology to monitor their water usage so they could better understand the amount of water they are using.
Planning ahead as demand increases
Residential water customers account for the largest share of Raleigh’s water, making up about 61% of usage.
Commercial and institutional customers, including hospitals, offices, and schools, account for 8%. Water in the Raleigh area is part of the Triangle Water Supply Partnership, which began in 2009 and expanded in 2017. This partnership uses water from Jordan Lake to supply the Triangle and surrounding counties with drinking water.
Water officials are working to expand water supply from current reservoirs that will sustain Raleigh’s growth into 2070. According to Raleigh Water officials, by 2070 the area will need 218 million gallons of water per day.
Water resource options
Raleigh Water presented several options for water sustainability for the next 50 years. They are working on current solutions and planning.
Improving dams at Lake Wheeler and Lake Benson would allow Raleigh Water to control the water flow better. They are also looking into using reclaimed water from Lake Benson.
“We’re going to install crest gates; that will give us the ability to very carefully manage the water in those lakes and releases, and we believe that alone will give us another 2 and a half million gallons of water in yield,” Buchan said.
Other water reservoirs
Kerr Lake: The lake could provide between 38 and 45 million gallons of water per day. However, it would have high costs associated with it, require cooperation from Virginia, and create a large carbon footprint.
The wastewater would need to be returned to the Kerr Lake river basin, and it could take years before the plan would be fully operational.
“To say the least, it would be a complicated project,” Buchan said.
Little River Reservoir: This could provide between 12 and 18 million gallons of water per day.
This project faces significant environmental challenges because there are several threatened and endangered species that live in the lake, including the dwarf wedgemussel, tar spinymussel, and Neuse River waterdog.
The project would likely require a water treatment plant to be placed alongside the river. Buchan said the city takes environmental concerns seriously, and they need to meet with teams to learn more about the creatures in the reservoir before moving forward.
Neuse River intake: The city proposed building a new intake on the Neuse River, which could provide between 15 and 45 million gallons per day.
The water removed from the river would eventually be returned through wastewater systems, and the project could be built in phases.
“What makes this alternative attractive is that if we were to remove water from the river on the same property, we would return about 90% of the water through wastewater. We are putting back almost as much as we are taking out,” Buchan said.
Raleigh water officials will meet with the Division of Water Resources in October. They will submit their ideas for water withdrawal. If the division approves a method, they will move ahead to file a formal application and begin environmental permitting.