Holly Springs (NC) Begins Stage 1 Water Restrictions Effective July 6th as Drought Prompts Regional Conservation
Beginning July 6, Holly Springs limits lawn irrigation to designated days and times under a Stage 1 Water Shortage Alert, joining nearby communities responding to ongoing drought conditions.
Holly Springs, NC, Jul. 6, 2026 — Holly Springs residents will need to begin limiting lawn irrigation starting today as the Town joins Fuquay-Varina, Apex, Cary, and Raleigh in implementing mandatory outdoor watering restrictions in response to ongoing drought conditions.
Effective July 6th, the Town has activated a Stage 1 Water Shortage Alert in accordance with guidance from Harnett County, Holly Springs’ water provider. Under the Town’s Water Shortage Response Plan (document), Stage 1 restrictions are automatically implemented when Harnett County declares the same alert.
Stage 1 is the first mandatory level of the Town’s four-stage drought response system. While it primarily limits lawn irrigation to designated days and times, additional stages would impose progressively stricter conservation measures if drought conditions worsen.
Watering Schedule
Residents using the Town’s potable water system for lawn irrigation must follow this schedule:
Even-numbered addresses: Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday from 6 to 10 a.m. and 6 to 10 p.m.
Odd-numbered addresses: Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 6 to 10 a.m. and 6 to 10 p.m.
No irrigation is permitted on Fridays.
Schools, golf courses, and plant nurseries may continue irrigating as needed but are expected to keep non-essential watering to a minimum.
Hand watering with hoses or containers, drip hoses, and alternative water sources remains unrestricted. Homes irrigating with reclaimed water are also exempt from the Stage 1 restrictions.
Residents establishing new sod, seed, landscape beds, or trees may apply for a temporary 30-day Water Conservation Landscape Establishment Exception (click here).
Restrictions Increase at Each Stage
If drought conditions continue to worsen, the Town’s Water Shortage Response Plan calls for increasingly stringent conservation measures.
A Stage 2 Water Shortage Warning would reduce lawn irrigation to two days per week, with even-numbered addresses limited to Wednesdays and Saturdays and odd-numbered addresses limited to Thursdays and Sundays. It would also restrict activities such as washing vehicles outside commercial car washes, pressure washing, filling new pools, and certain other non-essential water uses. Industrial, manufacturing, and commercial customers would be expected to reduce water consumption where feasible.
During a Stage 3 Water Shortage Emergency, the use of automated sprinkler systems would be prohibited. Outdoor watering would be limited to hand-held hoses with spring-loaded nozzles, containers, or drip irrigation. Restaurants would serve water only upon request, and commercial and industrial users would be asked to make even greater reductions in water use.
If conditions reached a Stage 4 Water Shortage Crisis, treated water would be reserved primarily for essential uses such as drinking, sanitation, and public safety. Vehicle washing and other nonessential public or commercial water uses would be prohibited, and the Town could implement additional emergency measures, if necessary, to protect the public water supply.
Residents Encouraged to Conserve
Town officials are encouraging residents to begin conserving water now by:
Checking for household leaks.
Running dishwashers and washing machines only with full loads.
Shortening showers by just two minutes, which can save up to 5 gallons of water per person each day.
Turning off the tap while brushing teeth, shaving, or washing dishes.
Residents can also monitor household water use and detect potential leaks through the Town’s water tracking portal.
The Town said residents will be notified if additional Water Shortage Alerts become necessary, and any future restrictions will be implemented in accordance with Holly Springs’ Water Shortage Response Plan.