GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. —
Greensboro is moving to mandatory water restrictions as drought conditions continue to reduce the city’s water supply.
The City of Greensboro announced that it will begin Stage 2 water restrictions Tuesday, Nov. 3, under its Water Shortage Response Plan. Enforcement will begin Monday, Nov. 9, to give residents time to adjust.
City officials said that failure to comply with these new rules could result in a fine. According to their Water Shortage Response Plan, fines can start at $100 for residents and $200 for non-residents. Officials said that could increase depending on the amount of times a person or business violates the restrictions.
The restrictions come as water levels in Greensboro’s three reservoirs continue to decline amid severe drought conditions that have persisted since 2025.
What the restrictions mean
Under Stage 2, all customers will be limited to using manual or automatic sprinklers once a week on their scheduled city garbage collection day. Customers who do not receive city garbage service or have multiple collection days may use sprinklers only on Wednesdays.
Watering plants, shrubs and trees with hand-held hoses, containers or drip irrigation is allowed any day of the week.
Golf courses and institutional playing fields have separate requirements. They may only water between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. and must reduce water use by 40% compared with their average use during the same billing period over the previous 12 months.
The restrictions will remain in effect for 30 days.
Why is Greensboro restricting water use?
The city said severe drought conditions have continued to affect the region, with warmer spring and summer weather drying out the area and lowering stream levels that help replenish Greensboro’s lakes and water supply.
Greensboro is also continuing to purchase water from Burlington, Reidsville, and the Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority to help maintain its water supply.
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