RALEIGH—A bill requiring community water systems to establish measures for dealing with drought awaits Gov. Mike Easley’s signature.

The measure, approved by a conference committee of the General Assembly on July 17, applies to water systems that serve 1,000 or more households. The bill requires that system officials prepare local water supply plans, that the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources establish a Drought Management Advisory Council, and that the council issue drought advisories.

According to the legislation, plans drawn up by the local water systems will include:

• Present and projected population, industrial development, and water use within the service area;

• Present and future water supplies;

• An estimate of DENR’s technical assistance that may be needed at the local level to address projected water needs;

• A current and future water conservation and water reuse programs;

• A description of how the local government or community water system will respond to drought and other water shortage emergencies and continue to meet essential public water supply needs during the emergency.

Local officials must revise their plans at least once every five years to reflect changes in projections, unless DENR requires more frequent revisions.

The bill designates the Drought Management Advisory Council to (1) “improve coordination among local, state, and federal agencies; public water systems; and water users to improve the management and mitigation of the harmful effects of drought; and (2) to provide consistent and accurate information to the public about drought conditions.”

Advisories written by the council will designate specific areas of the state where a drought is impending, specific areas of the state suffering drought, and the level of the drought’s severity.

The council is to comprised at least 12 representatives from various state and federal agencies. DENR also will invite representatives of water users, including local governments, agriculture, agribusiness, forestry, and manufacturing to join the council.

Rep. Marian McLawhorn, D-Grifton, sponsored the bill.

Wagner is editor of Carolina Journal.