Easley, Michael. Press Release, 2008-03-11, Gov. Easley Announces Legislative Plan To Modernize Water Systems, Mandate Conservation And Upgrade Emergency Response: Unveils Savewaternc.org Website To Raise Public Awareness On Drought

Michael F. Easley Governor Contact: Renee Hoffman Phone: 919/733-5612 GOV. EASLEY ANNOUNCES LEGISLATIVE PLAN TO MODERNIZE WATER SYSTEMS, MANDATE CONSERVATION AND UPGRADE EMERGENCY RESPONSE Unveils SaveWaterNC.org Website to Raise Public Awareness on Drought RALEIGH - Gov. Mike Easley today announced a three-part legislative package to modernize North Carolina’s public water systems, mandate water conservation and efficiency, and upgrade the response to water emergencies. The governor also unveiled a new website, SaveWaterNC.org , aimed at continued water conservation. “This legislation will help North Carolina’s public water systems improve their services to customers and be better prepared to deal with future droughts, but we also need to change our attitude about using water in North Carolina,” said Easley. “We can not let up on our conservation efforts and that is why today I am announcing a public awareness effort to encourage citizens to save as much water as possible now, make water conservation a way of life in North Carolina and make our state drought proof.” The governor was joined today by Sec. Bill Ross of the Dept, of Environment & Natural Resources and Secretary Bryan Beatty of the Dept, of Crime Control & Public Safety. Legislative proposals to modernize the state’s more than 600 public water systems include: • Local water systems must develop thorough water shortage plans, conduct regular leak detection and repair audits, and move toward conservation based pricing in order to be eligible for state funds for water system improvement projects. • Priority for state funding will go to projects that improve a community’s ability to manage water supplies during a drought, such as interconnections for drought-prone communities; leak detection projects; upgrades to meters and metering systems to help homeowners and agencies more closely and accurately monitor water consumption; and water re-use facilities that use treated wastewater for landscape irrigation, industrial uses and for other appropriate purposes. • DENR will get staff and funding to develop a detailed and up-to-date map that shows all water system interconnections, alternative water supplies, groundwater status and other information. • New outdoor water uses, such as in-ground irrigation, will be required to have meters separate from meters that monitor indoor water use. • Enhanced enforcement to be sure that business that use more than 100,000 gallons a day register with DENR as required, including penalties for willful non-compliance. • Identification of all other large water users. • Requiring monthly water use reports under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act to be submitted electronically instead of on paper and allowing the DENR Secretary to require additional reporting as necessary during periods of drought. For Release: IMMEDIATE Date: March 1 1, 2008 State of North Carolina Office of the Governor Governor's Press Office State Capitol. Raleigh, NC 27603-8001 (919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005 FAX (919) 733-5166