Governor calls for water conservation across parched N.C.
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on August 31, 2007 1:56 PM
Gov. Mike Easley has directed state agencies in all 100 counties to stop non-essential water use. He also urged all state residents to cut back their own water use 20 percent.
"Stream flows and groundwater levels are approaching their lowest levels in recorded history," he said. "We all must conserve if we are to, in any way, minimize the impact of the drought."
On average, North Carolina communities have received between 50 and 75 percent of the normal rainfall for this time of year, he added.
And with weather forecasters predicting no immediate relief from the drought he says is "drying reservoirs, devastating farm crops and livestock and leaving homeowners with brown lawns and dying plants," Easley said he is calling on everyone to use the water they do have responsibly.