Raleigh leaders are looking into new water conservation measures, on top of steps already in place to encourage water customers to cut back.

The City is looking at implementing capacity fees that would help raise revenue by charging new customers to hook into the water system.

Mayor Charles Meeker said the fees could be implemented in a way that encourages conservation.

"If you're not irrigating outside, you might pay a lower capacity fee," he said. "Or if you are going to use a lot of water for irrigating, then perhaps you'd pay a higher fee," he said.

The City Council's Budget and Economic Development committee is considering the ideas before they'll head to the full City Council.

"The overall goal is to reduce the usage of water, so additional treatment capacity just does not have to be built," Meeker said.

The City already has several conservation measures in place, such as restrictions on watering lawns, and a rebate program for customers who install more efficient toilets.

A new tiered water rate system should also be in place by next summer, which rewards customers with lower bills if they conserve more water.

Public Utilities Director Dale Crisp said the City already has a 30-year water plan designed to keep the City's water supply in good shape.

"Our plan provides the water that we need. Conservation would just extend that plan beyond that 30-year horizon out there," Crisp said.

Crisp said Falls Lake, a major source for drinking water, is about four feet below its level from one year ago.

This year could become the driest year on record.

"The reason that's not affecting the lake any more than it is, is because we ended last year with a very wet year," he said.

Crisp said Falls Lake is still about five feet above the all-time low level which came during the 2007 drought.

While City leaders encourage conservation, a Raleigh resident has become a model for conservation through her "green" garden.

Gardening expert and writer Helen Yoest has gone to great lengths to capture and re-use as much water as she can at her Raleigh home.

Yoest captures rain water through drain spouts and water that comes down a hill in her backyard, and uses it to water her expansive garden that surrounds her home.

"Because of water conservation, I never would have done it," she said. "And now I'm happier all the way around."