North Carolina Governor Easley Details Program To Deal With The Prolonged Drought

Citizens Who Use More Water Should Pay A Premium Fee; Conserving Is Patriotic

12/20/2007 -- Raleigh - North Carolina Governor Mike Easley today announced a four-point program, including the adoption of water conservation pricing, to address the state’s deepening drought. The governor said it was everyone’s patriotic duty to conserve and called on local water systems to enforce a fee system to penalize those who are excessive water users with significantly greater water bills. He called on citizens in most water systems to increase their conservation effort to at least 30 percent, and 40 percent for those in the hardest-hit communities.

''The price of that additional water should cost significantly more than the minimum amount that people need to get by,'' Easley said. ''I hope people will understand that they have to conserve and the water bill will be one more reminder that it has to be done.''

Easley made his announcement at the opening of a specially-called meeting of the N.C. Drought Management Advisory Council.

''Keep in mind that many generations of people in this state and this country have sacrificed an awful lot over the years (and) some generations have not had to sacrifice before and we are not asking that much,'' Easley said. ''Parents, talk to your children. … They have a patriotic duty to make sure that they keep their state healthy and safe and you cannot do that without a good water supply.''

In addition to his call for conservation-based water billing, the governor also announced he is: convening a conference with the state's hardest-hit water systems to make sure they are fully prepared and have effective drought emergency plans in place; bringing all drought information together on the Internet at www.ncdrought.org; and charging the Drought Management Advisory Council to provide him with a regular detailed assessment of the progress of the drought should he need to exercise his emergency powers.

The governor will bring 30 of the state's worst hit water systems together on Monday, Jan. 14 in Greensboro to review the status of these systems. Those at the conference will also review what their plans are if the drought deepens and make sure they have reserve sources of water available. In addition, those water systems that need assistance from the state will be able to make sure they get the help they need to have effective emergency plans in place.

The conference will examine whether these water systems have appropriate interconnectivity to tap emergency water sources outside their communities. It will also help the systems, particularly the smaller ones, learn how to find and stop major leaks in their distribution networks. These communities must also have explored and identified other back-up sources of water, such as quarries. Since these communities are in the most precarious condition, state officials will help make sure these systems have emergency plans in place in case they become extremely low on water.

The governor said the current situation is manageable, but only if everyone, citizens, businesses and governments, increase their conservation efforts. Water use must be cut by all users by at least 30 percent and up to 40 percent in the hardest-hit communities.

''This is very manageable problem. It's not that difficult if everyone chips in and does their part,'' he said. ''It's not unreasonable to continue to ask for a 30 percent reduction.''

Easley said how the state handles this drought is critical to the state’s economic development. ''If we, as citizens, do not conserve, we jeopardize industry being able to continue which jeopardizes jobs and that hurts families,'' Easley said. ''We are going to be judged as a state, nationally and internationally when we go out and recruit industry, on how well we manage this drought problem. If we manage it well, we will be perceived as … a very good state to do business.''

In part of the state Commerce Department's efforts to work with business and industry on water conservation, Easley said he is considering asking the General Assembly to develop tax incentives for businesses to encourage the most efficient use of water and recycling.

For more information on the drought in North Carolina and the governor’s drought-busting tips, go online to: www.ncdrought.org

Source: North Carolina Governor

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