Raleigh, NC Water Use Rules: Recycled Water Rules (2026)

Article F of Raleigh's Water and Sewer chapter (§§ 8-2180 - 8-2198) governs the City's reuse (reclaimed) water system, separate from its potable supply. Before connecting, § 8-2183 requires a reuse water utilization permit, and a new application is due for initial installation, any change of use, and any change of property ownership. § 8-2184 lists the pre-approved uses, landscape and non-food agricultural irrigation, decorative ponds and fountains that don't drain to surface waters, dust control, soil compaction, vehicle washing (only if runoff is captured), vacuum street cleaning, cooling tower/boiler makeup water, and urinal/toilet flushing, with the Director of Public Utilities approving anything not on the list. § 8-2185 goes further and makes reuse water mandatory for new non-potable uses, including landscape irrigation, wherever it's available, unless a dual-plumbing system would cost more than 2.5 times a single system. § 8-2186 flatly bans reuse water for human consumption, direct food-crop irrigation (unless state rules allow it), pools/hot tubs/spas, and as a raw potable supply. § 8-2187 requires irrigation buffers of 25 feet from surface waters and intermittent streams, 100 feet from wells, and 50 feet between reuse ponds and property lines, with no runoff allowed into storm drains. §§ 8-2189-8-2192 require 'REUSE WATER: DO NOT DRINK' signage, color-coded piping, and lockable below-grade hose bibbs so the non-potable system can't be mistaken for drinking water.