Governor, candidates tout water supply plans

By Rebecca Troutman
Intergovernmental Relations Director

Blessed rain! While no counties remain in the exceptional drought category, the state is still in the grip of its worst drought in recorded history. Although reservoirs are filling to capacity and communities across the state are relaxing mandatory conversation measures, stream flows remain below normal, and a long, hot and dry summer could tax our water supplies once again.

The April 8 U.S. Drought Monitor report listed 12 counties as suffering from an “Extreme Drought,” 50 counties suffering from a “Severe Drought” and 18 counties suffering from a “Moderate Drought.” Twenty counties were listed as “Abnormally Dry.” No counties were suffering from “Exceptional Drought,” the most severe drought classification.

Not surprisingly, long-term water supply is a major political issue this spring.

Governor takes carrot-and-stick approach

On March 11, Gov. Mike Easley released his recommended legislative and administrative changes for statewide drought response measures. The proposals include a three-pronged approach to a drought-proof North Carolina – water system modernization, mandated conservation and efficiency, and streamlined state drought response processes.

Recognizing that water is largely controlled, supplied and administered locally, Gov. Easley is seeking to modernize the state’s more than 600 public water supply systems to make them more drought-tolerant. His proposals tie local compliance with state funding for water system improvements. Whether the smaller, more isolated public water systems can meet these challenges is still in question, and the state’s large number of public water systems – second nationally behind only Texas – could give way to regional and consolidated efforts.

First and foremost, the governor wants to strengthen current local water supply plans by requiring thorough water shortage measures, including leak detection and conservation-based pricing. Communities that seek to better manage water supplies through interconnections, leak detection programs, consumer water monitoring and water re-use facilities would receive priority for state funding.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources would be given staff and funding to map interconnections, water supplies and groundwater status. New outdoor water uses such as irrigation would have to be separately metered. In addition, the current registration requirement for all businesses using more than 100,000 gallons per day would be more stringently enforced, including penalties for willful non-compliance.

Gov. Easley’s conservation proposals would prohibit residential rate structures that cut water rates as more water is used. Local governments could still offer reduced water rates for commercial and industrial uses, however, as economic development incentives. The state’s building code would be revised to require water efficient fixtures in new construction, and new in-ground irrigation systems would have to meet improved water efficiency standards. Homeowners could legally use their “gray” water – water collected from sinks, bathtubs and showers – to hand-water yard plantings.

The governor can currently only encourage water conservation, but state law permits the governor to declare an emergency for health and safety threats. Gov. Easley seeks authority to order one water system to provide water to a neighboring community in an emergency, and to require communities in extreme or exceptional drought to adhere to state-set water conservation measures.

Local governments operating water systems could require all water users – including those on private wells and/or privately owned systems – to follow the same mandated conservation measures in place for public water system users. The proposal does not include the metering of private wells.

In addition, water-saving devices would be added to those items eligible for the sales tax holiday, and planning and conservation technical assistance would be offered through the newly created Office of Water Conservation and Efficiency – a DENR agency that would consolidate a number of different state agency conservation functions.

The governor’s public service campaign relies on school children to carry home the message of conservation. A new Web site, www.savewaterNC.org, provides tips on conservation measures and links to drought and water-related sites.

Gubernatorial hopefuls weigh in

Four candidates for governor provided their perspectives on state drought response and management during a March 25 forum that was co-sponsored by the NCACC. Libertarian Mike Munger, Democrats Richard Moore and Bev Perdue, and Republican Bob Orr each responded to questions on water resources and population growth, drought, and water uses, supplies and infrastructure.

Munger, a Duke University professor, said waterways, not roadways, should be funded via the Highway Trust Fund. He suggested that one-third of the trust fund should be used to build adequate water infrastructure – rather than roads – in order to constrain growth. Munger said the Governor’s Office is the crucial agent to coordinate local and private agencies, and advocated for tiered pricing throughout the state. Water billing should easily show water consumed. Munger said the state should build redundancy, but he champions local operation and regional coordination.

According to State Treasurer Moore, that which is measured is saved. North Carolina is traditionally rich in water and could use its “gold” to attract economic development. The first step would be a measure of what and where the water is, followed by better planning – not only in terms of water use, but land use. He suggested using state incentives to encourage local cooperation and coordination, but emphasized that urbanites must decrease consumption. Moore’s plan would include some mandatory land-use restrictions, provide incentives to roll up water systems, and decouple sales from investment.

Lt. Gov. Perdue reiterated her call for a sales tax holiday for conservation devices and said she would help local governments with billing and pricing technology to promote conservation. Perdue cautioned that water supply transcends municipal issues – it is a business and agricultural concern as well. While she said she believes one size doesn’t fit all communities, the state does have a role and responsibility to coordinate regional partnerships, and she suggested the state should consider creating new regional allocation authorities that follow river basins.

Orr, a former chief justice of the N.C. Supreme Court, said he would enlist the help of experts for input on how to better manage water supplies and periods of drought. He said the state must look at this as a long-term issue – the stakeholders must be brought together and policies must encompass both droughts and floods. Regional commissions organized along river basins could encourage users within each region to help decide their water future. Potential industries must acknowledge water limitations, he suggested, and he wondered if the state should pursue water-hungry businesses. Orr said it is his belief that the water infrastructure crisis is indicative of a broader infrastructure need.