Irrigation systems must have:

• A separate water meter. For information on the installation of an irrigation-only meter, contact Utilities through the contact form or by calling 919-296-9630.  
• A backflow prevention device. 
• Rain or moisture sensors.

Irrigation systems should:

• Not spray or run off onto other properties or rights of way, including sidewalks, road shoulders and roadways. 
• Limit sprayed water to 1 inch total per week.
• Only be in use between 8 p.m. and 9 a.m. on odd or even days based on a property's street address. 
• Even-Numbered Properties — Wednesday, Friday and Sunday
• Odd-Numbered Properties — Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday

See all of the irrigation system requirements in Section 14-19 of the Hillsborough Code of Ordinances.

For information on permits and utilities fees and charges, see the Start or Stop Service page. 

During water shortages, spray irrigation is limited to two application days per week:

• Even-Numbered Properties — Wednesday and Sunday
• Odd-Numbered Properties — Tuesday and Saturday

The town may halt irrigation service during water shortages. If service is halted, the town will bill for the amount of water used during the affected months. It will not charge a minimum fee during those months.

Customers may request an adjustment to their bills for leaks caused by water line breaks. One leak adjustment is allowed in a 12-month period. Account adjustments are not usually made for irrigation leaks.

You can significantly save on utility bills by fixing leaks. Nationally, 10% of homes have leaks of 90 gallons or more per day. Over a month, that's at least 2,700 gallons. 

Check Around the House

• Check faucets and pipes. Replace worn washers immediately. A small drip from a worn washer can waste 20 or more gallons a day. Large leaks can waste hundreds of gallons daily.
• Listen carefully for running water.
• Look for wet spots in the yard between the water meter and house.
• Regularly check your irrigation system for leaks. 

Check Your Bill

• A family of four's usage should be under 12,000 gallons in winter months. 
• Look for significant changes from one month to the next.

Reduce the amount of water used by:

• Wetting your toothbrush and then turning off the faucet.
• Rinsing your razor in a partially filled sink instead of under a running tap.
• Shortening your shower. A one- or two-minute reduction can save up to 700 gallons of water each month.
• Taking a shallow bath. This provides even greater water savings than a short shower.
• Replacing your showerhead with low-flow showerheads or installing flow restrictors.
• Installing ultra-low flush toilets and faucets if building or remodeling a home.

Reduce the amount of water flushed by:

• Flushing only when necessary and disposing of trash in the trash can. Each time you flush a small bit of trash, you waste 5 to 7 gallons of water and you risk clogging sewer pipes.
• Putting a filled plastic bottle in your toilet tank. Weigh down the bottle by filling it with water and a small amount of pebbles. Place it in your toilet tank away from operating mechanisms. This can save you 10 or more gallons of water each day.

Save water for other use by:

• Placing a bucket under the bath faucet when waiting for water to warm. Use the retained cold water later for house plants or to refill the toilet tank after flushing.
• Using water from pet dishes or dehumidifiers to water plants.

Reduce the use of running water by:

• Keeping water in the refrigerator for drinking instead of running the faucet until water gets cold.
• Rinsing vegetables in a pan of water.
• Defrosting frozen foods in the microwave or refrigerator.
• Using the garbage disposal less and the garbage can more often. Better yet, compost! Disposing of food scraps and grease and oils down kitchen sinks also risks clogging sewer pipes.
• Filling one sink with soapy water and one with rinse water when washing dishes by hand. If you have only one sink, use a dish rack and rinse with hot water.
• Using the smallest amount of detergent possible when washing dishes by hand. This reduces the amount of rinse water needed. It also reduces the risk of clogged sewer pipes. Using your dishwasher and washing machine for full loads only.

If considering the replacement of large appliances:

• Select high-efficiency washing machines.
• Consider that new dishwasher models are more water- and energy-efficient.

If possible for outside plantings:

• Reduce or eliminate watering grass, bushes and plants.
• Reduce or eliminate planting new plants.

If possible for outside maintenance:

• Avoid washing vehicles at home. Most commercial car washes recycle the wash water. Also, the soapy runoff from washing vehicles is not good for the environment or stormwater system.
• Consider delaying projects that use a lot of water, such as:
  • Carpet cleaning with your own steam cleaner.
  • Draining and refilling a hot water heater.
  • Filling ponds, hot tubs, fountains or pools.
  • Masonry projects that need a water mix for grout or concrete.
  • Painting projects that require washing brushes, rollers and trays.
  • Power washing.

When dining out, if you:

• Won’t be drinking water, ask that no tap water be served.
• Will be drinking water, ask for bottled water during water restrictions.

When water is in short supply in the Eno River, Lake Orange or the town's reservoir, the mayor can issue a proclamation to restrict water use. The level of restrictions is determined by the available water supply.

Construction-related activities that are not essential and that require water should not be undertaken during a declared water shortage. 

See the full drought policy.  

This stage begins when the town has less than 180 days of supply.

Customers are encouraged in this stage to reduce water use by 10%. The town also may:

• Offer water-saving devices.
• Provide daily or weekly reservoir level and water usage statistics.
• Recommend water usage reduction techniques.

This stage begins when the town has less than 135 days of supply.

• Customers must reduce water use by 10% and are encouraged to reduce use by 20%.
• No pressure washing or private car washing is allowed.
• Outdoor water use is limited to two days per week. Properties with odd-numbered street addresses may water on Tuesday and Saturday. Even-numbered properties may water on Wednesday and Sunday.

The town must:

• Offer water-saving devices.
• Provide daily or weekly reservoir level and water usage statistics.
• Recommend water usage reduction techniques.

This stage begins when the town has less than 90 days of supply.

• All customers must reduce water use by 30%, except for special medical use. Customers are not required to use less than the minimum usage billed.
• No outdoor water usage is allowed, other than for emergency use or fire protection.
• Irrigation water meters will be turned off or removed by the town.

The town will:

• Lower water pressure in its distribution system by reducing tank storage levels to the extent possible.
• Capture any water flushed from water lines for water quality concerns and return it to the Eno River upstream of the town's raw water intake.
• Use other water sources if feasible, investigating such sources as rock quarries, ponds, springs, and other utility systems.
• Enhance public awareness of the daily water usage, reservoir level and goal for water usage.