Continued Drought Conditions Lead to Mandatory Water Restrictions

The City of Greensboro begins Stage 2 mandatory irrigation watering restrictions under the City's Water Shortage Response Plan on Tuesday, November 3. The decision follows a continued decline in storage levels across the City's three water reservoirs due to severe drought conditions persisting since 2025.

While Stage 2 irrigation restrictions begin immediately, their enforcement begins on Monday, November 9, to give customers time to adjust.

"We appreciate and thank our customers for their efforts to reduce the demand placed on our limited water supplies," said Water Resources Director Mike Borchers. "Working together, we can meet the challenge placed on our community as our team monitors lake levels and shares important updates with our customers."

In Stage 2, customers must follow the irrigation restrictions below, which will remain in effect for 30 days.

• Using manual or automatic sprinklers is limited to once per week on the customer's scheduled City garbage collection day. Those without City garbage service or with multiple collection days may use sprinklers on Wednesdays only.
• Watering plants, shrubs, and trees with hand-held hoses, containers, or drip irrigation is allowed any day of the week.
• Customers who own golf courses and institutional playing fields must meet the following water-use requirements:
• • Only water between 10 pm and 5 am daily, using any method.
  • Reduce water use by 40% compared with the average use during the same billing period in the most recent 12-month period. Customers who need assistance determining the 40% reduction can call the City's Contact Center at 336-373-2489.

• Nurseries and retailers that sell plants may water their inventory using any method at any time.

The most recent U.S. Drought Monitor of North Carolina shows most of the state's counties, including Guilford County, are experiencing severe drought conditions. Warmer spring and summer weather dried out the region and lowered stream levels that replenish the area's lakes and water supply.

The City continues to purchase water through existing agreements with neighboring cities, including Burlington and Reidsville, as well as the Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority, to help maintain an adequate water supply.

Resources

Find water conservation tips on GSO WaterWise, the City's online customer portal, and the City website.View the latest information on lake levels, water demand, and water restriction trigger levels on Greensboro's Water Status Update page. The Water Resources Department will issue a news release as restrictions change.