Raleigh Water Purchases Suspended 02/20/08

Holly Springs has begun buying all its water from Harnett County, suspending purchases from Raleigh to help that city conserve Falls Lake.

The change means that all of Holly Springs' drinking water will come from the Cape Fear River. The river is less critically affected by the current record drought than Falls Lake, which supplies Raleigh and the towns that it sells to.

Town Manager Carl Dean said Harnett County should be able to meet Holly Springs' drinking water needs in the near term. At a planning retreat this weekend, Town officials will discuss proposals for the longer term.

If the need arises, Holly Springs still could get water from Raleigh.

"We're one of the few places that have a dual source of water," Dean said, crediting the foresight of current and past members of the Holly Springs Town Council.

To resume buying from Raleigh, Holly Springs would have to adopt the same watering restrictions as Raleigh and its municipal customers. They include Garner, Knightdale, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Wendell and Zebulon.

For examples, Raleigh's Stage 2 measures prohibit use of public water for irrigation and allow car washing only at facilities that have been certified under its water conservation program.

Holly Springs' restrictions prohibit use of irrigation systems or hose-end sprinklers. Watering by hand is allowed two days a week on a schedule. Additional restrictions apply.

For years, Holly Springs has bought most of its drinking water from Harnett County, which draws from the Cape Fear River. Last fall as the drought worsened, the Town cut back on water from Raleigh.

Until now, Holly Springs has paid Raleigh a monthly charge for access to water in addition to the purchase price. During the drought, Holly Springs and Raleigh officials agreed that Holly Springs would suspend water purchases and that Raleigh would suspend access charges.

In January, Holly Springs' water purchases totaled a little less than 1.3 million gallons a day on average. About 59 percent of the water came from Harnett County with about 41 percent coming from Raleigh.

With outdoor watering, summertime demand may double usage in winter. Outdoor watering restrictions are aimed at lowering peak demand to ensure adequate water for drinking and other essential purposes.

Currently, Holly Springs has rights to 2 million gallons daily from Harnett County and can purchase an additional 1 million gallons a day at a slightly higher rate. Even at the higher rate, water from Harnett County costs less than water from Raleigh.

To meet long term water needs, Holly Springs leaders are considering whether to purchase additional capacity in the Harnett County water treatment plant, which is being expanded.

Town officials are negotiating with Harnett officials on purchasing rights to an additional 8 million gallons of water a day. Construction on the first phase of plant expansion starts this spring.

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Town of Holly Springs - PO Box 8 - 128 South Main Street - Holly Springs, NC 27540 - (919) 552-6221 - Holly.Springs@hollyspringsnc.us