RALEIGH, N.C. -- A renewed call for conservation came from Governor Mike Easley today as the drought continues to grip the state.

 

 

"This is a very manageable problem. It is not that difficult if everybody chips in and does their part and follow the recommendations,” said Easley.

 

But some public policy advocates say the governor’s reliance on voluntary conservation efforts is no longer effective. And they are calling for Governor Easley to declare a state-wide emergency and enact tough, mandatory water conservation measures.

 

“He should be taking steps to force local governments and local water authorities to conserve as much water as they possibly can,” said Rob Thompson, a policy advocate for the N.C. Public Interest Research Group (NCPIRG).

 

The group suggest that mandatory conservation pricing for water be enacted all over the state

 

In addition, NCPIRG advocates requiring all new homes include two water meters.

 

Thompson said, “one would be for outdoor water usage, the other for indoor usage.”  He said, “that allows local governments to cut off outdoor water use in times of severe shortage.”

 

NCPIRG believes the state should require new homes to have water saving devices inside and out..

 

”Low flush toilets, low flow faucets, rain barrels and cisterns are great resources for conserving, reusing and recycling water and new development should be required to do these things,” he said.

 

Some we spoke with agree; saving our water requires state control.

 

“I think it should be a mandatory thing because there's so much waste out there,” said Jim Spell. “People just don't think about how they use the water.”

 

But, others prefer local control of water issues.

 

“I think it's a regional thing,” said Wake County resident Dave Fredrick. “We need to have some restrictions because .there's just so many people moving in here and we aren't taking the right measures to restrict the growth so we're running out of water.”

 

Meanwhile NCPIRG believes the governor should declare a state of emergency now.

 

The group says if we wait for the General Assembly to return and draw up regulations it'll already be late spring and by the time lawmakers enact any rules our drought conditions will be  worse than they are now.

 

Talk back to Steve on his Blog: http://blogs.wncn.info/betweenthelines