| Drought management | Water supply planning |
| Capacity use | Interbasin transfers |
The historic drought culminating in the summer of 2002 was a catalyst for many communities to review their water supply situation, and has resulted in many projects across the state to protect municipal water users from extreme measures to keep waster flowing. Most recognize the need to evaluate what conservation measures are prudent during times of drought - and in case they don't - the legislature passed HB1215 which gives the Division of Water Resources a two-fold mandate. First it must identify conservation measures that can be implemented across the state, and second directs the Environmental Management Commission to develop a rule governing water conservation and water reuse during drought and water emergency situations. These rules are to establish minimum standards and practices for water conservation and water reuse for all of the following classes of water users:
(1) Publicly owned and privately owned water supply systems
(2) State agencies
(3) Local governments
(4) Business and industrial users of water
(5) Agricultural and horticultural users of water
The Legislature granted an extension of time to develop the rule-making as part of HB1215. The department must now develop a rule by October of 2006.
Latest actions:
October 05: EMC agrees to send out draft rule for public comment. See League draft comments on rule.
June 05: New draft rule submitted to EMC Water Allocation Committee. Will go before full EMC for approval of public comment period in September.
October 04: DENR seeks input on water conservation measures. Comments need to be submitted by October 31st. (pdf)
June 04: Water Allocation Committee decides to put off recommendation to full EMC until later date. The League will work with the Committee, DWR and the advisory group on revising rule language. League makes recommendations for future discussion on this issue.
June 04: Second rule draft developed prior to meeting on June 17
May 04: Amended rule language presented to the Water Allocation Committee of the EMC. The rule language was rejected and DWR was instructed to put together a stakeholder meeting to redraft rules before the July EMC meeting.
April 04: League meets with DWR officials for clarification of rule language
April 04: DWR conducts second focus group meeting
April 04: League responds to preliminary draft with comments
March 04: DWR issues preliminary draft of rulemaking (Section 3 of Bill) at focus group meeting
January 04: DWR issues a memorandum asking for input on Section 5 of Bill
Units of local government that supply water to the public will be expected to submit updated Local Water Supply Plans to the Division of Water Resources in 2003. The updated plans will assess water supply needs and the community's ability to meet those needs through 2030 based on water use and water system conditions in 2002. Water systems in the Cape Fear River Basin will be invited to prepare projections through the year 2050 in conjunction with the division's preparation of a long-range water supply plan for the basin.
The water supply planning program was established by the General Assembly after a series of serious droughts in the 1980s to assure availability of water to protect the public health and support economic growth. The information contained in the plans forms the foundation of the North Carolina Water Supply Plan, which summarizes water supply conditions across the state. The plans are proving invaluable to resource management agencies and local officials as they plan for future needs and work to minimize impacts of the current drought.
To simplify the process of updating these plans, the Division of Water Resources suggests that water system administrators review the categories of information contained in their current plan and collect the same data throughout 2002. Beginning with this round of plan updates, the division will offer the option of submitting plans online. Division staff will be conducting workshops during the year to explain the online submittal program and to assist local water systems with the process of updating their plans. Current versions of Local Water Supply Plans and information on the local water supply planning process are available from the division's website at www.ncwater.org or by calling 919-733-4064.
In a multi-county area of eastern North Carolina, a capacity use study is continuing. The problem is that the underground aquifer, which is the primary water source for the area, is dwindling, and alternate water sources are needed. The Environmental Management Commission has designated 15 counties as the Central Coastal Plain Capacity Use Area (CCPCUA) and approved rules which create a ground water use permitting process. The CCPCUA rules became effective August 1, 2002. Permits are required for ground water users of more than 100,000 gallons per day. Annual registration and reporting of withdrawals is required for surface and ground water users of more than 10,000 gallons per day, and d epending on the groundwater zone a community withdraws it's water, water users will be required to reduce water use from those Cretaceous wells over a sixteen year period by up to 75%. The League has been adamant about the need for adequate studies to locate alternative water supplies for these areas.
Groundwater depletion is thought to be a problem in other areas of the eastern part of the state , and these areas are being studied. The League was involved in the process culminating in the CCPCUA rules, and will continue to be an advocate for local governments in the areas under consideration for an expanded designation.
While the state of North Carolina has, on the whole, enjoyed adequate drinking water supplies, for many years, the growth in the state's population are straining capacities in some areas. And, in some cases, localities want to increase their drinking water capacity through interbasin transfers - that is, by taking water out of one water basin and discharging it back to another. Obviously, this has implications for downstream users of the basin from which the water is removed. This is an issue that probably will come before the General Assembly in an upcoming session.
-Interbasin Transfer Rules Study Provision (PDF)
-Potential Issues for consideration by the ERC Water Allocation Study (PDF)
-Public meetings (PDF)
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