Today marks the first day new pollution rules go into effect for Falls Lake. The State Division of Water Quality found Falls Lake to be impaired in 2008.
Falls Lake is the source of drinking water for half a million Wake County residents, but most of the watershed lies in Durham and Granville Counties. That has put local officials at odds for the last 18 months as they hammered out the new rules.
The new regulations will attempt to curb the amount of nitrogen and phosphorous flowing into Falls Lake. They lead to large algae blooms, which have caused frequent closings and lead to higher treatment costs.
The State Legislature may still amend the new rules this year.