City of Greensboro Implements Mandatory water restrictions
In response to a continuing drought in the Piedmont and across North Carolina, the City of Greensboro has implemented Stage 2 mandatory water restrictions.
The UNCG Office of Sustainability urges our community members to do their part in helping restore the City’s water table. Lake Townsend is currently 6 feet below normal and Lake Brandt is 2.5 feet below normal (see pics here). The City’s water supply is now below 58% capacity – it was at 63% just two weeks ago. If it drops below 52% the City will trigger Stage 3 restrictions. The requirements for each stage can be read in more detail in the City’s Water Shortage Response Plan.
Annual rainfall for the Piedmont is 11.25 inches below normal. To date, 2026 has been the 5th driest year on record. Thankfully, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting above-average precipitation over the winter, so hopefully the drought will subside by springtime. More details about current conditions can be followed at the US Drought Monitor site.
The University will comply with the Stage 2 requirements and encourages our Spartan community to help us meet this challenge. Employees should report any leaks by submitting a service request to Facilities and student residents should report leaks via FIXT.
A single leaking faucet, toilet, or showerhead can waste hundreds of gallons a year. Individual actions do add up. 5,500 student residents reducing showers to 5 minutes can save 10 gallons each time – 55,000 gallons is equivalent to a large backyard pool. 20,000 Spartans taking that action would save 200,000 gallons!
“People shouldn’t panic, but we should definitely take this situation seriously,” says Sustainability Specialist, Sean MacInnes. “If you’ve been thinking about implementing conservation measures at home, like installing a dual flush toilet mechanism or low-flow fixtures, this should be the impetus to do so.”
As you go through your day, Spartans should be mindful of the following:
- Reduce length of showers.
- Plug and fill sinks when hand washing dishes or shaving, instead of letting the water run.
- Turn water off when brushing teeth.
- Use the shortest cycle when washing clothes and dishes (and avoid extra rinse cycles).
- Ask servers at restaurants to refill your water only on request and drink the water you’re served.
- Turn off lights and unplug electronics when when not in use – power plants use water to cool their systems.
- Washing clothes in cold water also reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Turn off or reduce use of ice makers.
- Homeowners should reduce landscape watering to once a week and install EPA WaterSense certified plumbing fixtures and dual flush toilet mechanisms.