Water Efficiency Project News

Gov. Mike Easley today called for communities to enact water conservation pricing to address the state's worst drought.

He called on local water systems, but did not require them, to penalize excessive water users with "significantly greater water bills."

“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," he said in a news release.

Saying it is everyone's "patriotic duty" to conserve water, Easley also called on state residents to cut back on water use by at least 30 percent, or 40 percent in the hardest-hit communities.

Also today, Easley announced a conference with the 30 hardest-hit water systems about their drought emergency plans, scheduling it for Jan. 14 in Greensboro.

He said the conference would make sure those systems get the help they need from the state and their neighbors, and help them find and stop major leaks.

A consumer protection group said Easley isn't going far enough.

The state should order mandatory conservation pricing for all local governments, N.C. Public Interest Research Group said. The group called on Easley to either declare a state of emergency or call a special legislative session.

“The time for half-measures and volunteerism is over,” said Rob Thompson of NCPIRG in a news release. “We need immediate policy changes.”