RALEIGH, N.C. -- Because of the drought, Raleigh is making recycled water available to Raleigh residents starting Monday.

 

 

But here's the catch -- you have to have a tanker truck big enough to carry the bulk water.

 

The free water will mostly be helpful for businesses, such as construction or car washing.

 

 The town of Cary already has a used water program for both residents and businesses, and aside from a recent mix-up, it's been very successful.

 

Cary has been offering recycled or "reclaimed" water to folks for free since 1999.   Like Raleigh's new plan, folks in Cary have to take the water in bulk. They must take at least 250 gallons at a time. They must also go through a half-hour training program.  

 

But in 2001, Cary took their program a step further, creating a pipe system that carries reclaimed water to 519 customers whose homes or businesses are close to it's wastewater treatment plant.  

 

The system saves hundreds of thousands of gallons of drinking water from being used every day.   Reclaimed customers use the recycled water instead of drinking water to irrigate and wash their cars.

 

They do not have to follow Cary's year round water restrictions that limit lawn watering and car washing. 

 

Cary says the system saves hundreds of thousands of gallons of drinking water every day.  

 

The town is looking to expand the program.