WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – 99 of the 100 counties in North Carolina are currently being affected by drought, according to the state Department of Environmental Quality.

Per the release, this marks only the second time since 2000 that the state has seen an increase in the drought classification for more than 50% of counties in one week.

57 counties are in a moderate drought, while another 42 have been classified as abnormally dry by the N.C. Drought Management Advisory Council.

The City of Whiteville issued the following restrictions:

• “Water early in the morning and use drip irrigation where possible to minimize evaporation. Also avoid wasting water on sidewalks and other paved areas. Always remember to follow local water restrictions.
• “Wash only full loads of laundry. By washing full instead of partial loads, you could save up to 3,400 gallons of water a year. Need a new clothes washer? Invest in an Energy Star–qualified model, which typically uses 50 percent less water and 37 percent less energy per load.
• “Fix leaks. A leaking faucet can waste up to 3,000 gallons a year and a leaking toilet can waste up to 73,000 gallons a year. To check your toilet for leaks, add a few drops of food coloring or a dye tablet to the water in the tank, but do not flush the toilet. Watch to see if the coloring appears in the bowl within a few minutes. If it does, the toilet has a silent leak that needs to be repaired.
• “Install water-efficient plumbing fixtures. Water-efficient plumbing fixtures can reduce water consumption by 25 percent to 60 percent. Install inexpensive faucet aerators to cut in half the amount of water used by each faucet.
• “This notice is for the City of Whiteville Public Water System. Other systems within the County have their own plans for addressing water shortages.”

“Groundwater and surface water reservoirs typically see higher demand for water during the summer, and the ongoing dry conditions could result in water restrictions. Some utilities, including in Brunswick, Johnston, Pamlico and West Carteret, have issued water conservation advisories,” the release states. “Recent rainfall across much of the state has been minimal, with Southeast Regional Climate Center data indicating that some weather stations have recorded their driest 30 days on record. Based on the short-term forecast, drought conditions may expand or worsen.”

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