Flexibility touted to handle drought

Leaders brainstorm on water shortage

GREENSBORO -- Joe Hudson has some simple advice for communities worried about running out of water.

"Besides rain, you need flexibility," said Hudson, who is Statesville's director of water resources. "It's unreal how quickly it changes."

Hudson spoke Monday at a workshop in Greensboro for the 30 water systems in North Carolina that have been hit hardest by the drought.

The workshop was designed to help water systems prepare for a worst-case scenario, something Hudson went through in 2002 when the South Yadkin River dried up and Statesville nearly ran out of water.

"You can never have too many alternative water supplies," Hudson told the crowd, which included Raleigh and Durham water managers.

His advice was echoed by Gov. Mike Easley, who gave a lunchtime speech to the attendees. Easley said the state would offer $8 million in low-interest loans to communities that need help building connections to neighboring utilities.

"If you need money, don't let that stand between you and developing the backup water supply you need," Easley said.

The governor also said utilities can extend their water supplies by fixing leaks in their systems and adopting water rate structures that encourage customers to conserve.

Last week Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker was criticized by many residents for proposing to temporarily raise water rates by 50 percent. But Easley said such steps are necessary if people in the state are to change the way they think about water.

"If you think people are upset over higher water rates," he said, "they're really going to be upset if they run out of water."

While the 30 utilities represented Monday are all suffering, each faces its own unique challenges.

Jeff Morse, Valdese's town manager, said 90 percent of his system's water is consumed by six large textile companies. Morse said the town, which has about a 90-day supply, is reluctant to force conservation measures on those businesses because they represent most of the tax base of Valdese.

The town's emergency planning, he said, would likely ask more of residential customers.

"We're going to have to prioritize, and it's most likely not going to be equitable," Morse said.

To extend its water supply, Valdese purchased two emergency pumps that will allow it to remove water even if the level in Rhodhiss Lake drops below the town's intake pipes.

Alderman Luther Nix of the Western North Carolina town of Marshall said his 1,200 customers rely on three wells that are fed by groundwater. If the town's wells go dry, Marshall would have just 10 days of water in storage.

With no possibility to connect to another system, Marshall officials are taking out loans and applying for grant money that will allow them to drill two more wells. If that doesn't work, Nix said, "You scratch your head and do some big begging."

Hudson, Statesville's water resources director, said it's important that officials understand that no emergency plan can take all contingencies into account. Statesville had an emergency water plan in 2002.

"We forgot to send that plan to God and the river," Hudson told the group.