Southeast Drought Means Potential Ban on New Home and Business Water Hook-ups

Photo: Istock

related articles

When it comes to water, things are bad in the Southeast. So bad that the North Carolina cities of Raleigh and Durham have recently debated temporarily blocking new homes and businesses from hooking up to municipal water systems, as reported by the Raleigh News & Observer.

It's estimated that Durham has just 50 or so days of easily accessible water left in its two main reservoirs. Raleigh is said to have slightly more than 100 days' worth. A dry year has thrown 62 North Carolina counties (and much of the Southeast) into "exceptional" drought, indicating the most serious of four levels.

Analysts say rationing of water may be on the horizon, as well as possible restrictions on water-hungry businesses. Agencies have already been pushing conservation and education.

As the Raleigh News & Observer reported earlier in the week, a number of Southeast homeowners have taken to digging their own irrigation wells, in an attempt to keep their lawns going.

The situation is serious, and points both to the need for more conservation of our precious resources, as well as greater understanding and concern over large-scale climate patterns. We need to take water conservation seriously everywhere, because the troubles in the historically lush, wet Southeast suggest that things can change rapidly, particularly in this global warming-wracked world. If we have to truck or pipe water long distances, that will likely result in even more carbon emissions.

Click here for 5 simple water savers anyone can do today, to get started on the path to smarter use.

Photo: Some Southeasterners have taken to digging their own irrigation wells in order to keep their lawns green. Meanwhile, local governments are debating water rationing and restrictions.

COMMENTS ()