Water

Below is a listing of content related to this term.
  • Expert Water Panel Concludes We Need to Pay More for Safe Services- Water ultimately may be our most precious resource. In fast growing Wake County, our water supply is relatively shallow in Raleigh and Eastern Wake towns. Given growth projections, reports show that demand for water will exceed supply. This really concerns WakeUP Wake County, so we've been strong advocates for conservation and efficiency programs. Progress is being made, including new tiered water rates in Raleigh which should encourage water conservation by charging more for bigger users.
  • Event presentations, Water: Is the Bill Coming Due?-

    How much water do we have to meet growing demand in Wake County? What will the increasing costs be to provide clean drinking water and sewage disposal as infrastructure ages out?

    These questions and more are answered in Water: Is the Bill Coming Due?, a public forum that will be aired on Raleigh Television's Network (RTN), starting April 21 at 8 pm. The program will be aired regularly on RTN Channel 11 and on RTN online in the coming weeks as well.

    View forum topics and presentations below:

  • Summary of Falls Lake Rules – approved by EMC Nov. 18, 2010 -
    Falls Lake Rules - approved by Environmental Management Commission Nov. 18, 2010
    Go into temporary effect Jan. 15, 2011 (until approved permanently)
    Stage I: (worse) 10 years to implement (instead of 7)

    Stage II: (good) Stage II still in and is not halted because of re-modeling; analysis of performance of St I and feasibility of St II is in 2025 - though anyone can come in with new data at any time

  • WakeUP speaks UP at recent Falls Lake stakeholder meeting-

    More than 60 people representing government agencies, local advocacy groups, and private associations met November 3, 2010 to discuss plans for monitoring polluted Falls Lake.  The rules, which take effect in January 2011, include a two-stage program to put the lower part of the lake, near Raleigh's water intake, in compliance with federal water-quality standards within 10 years and the entire lake in compliance within 30 years.  The NC Environmental Management Commission meets November 17th and 18th to finalize the clean up plan.

  • PROTECTING YOUR DRINKING WATER SUPPLY - WakeUP Represented at Falls Lake Public Hearing-

    Falls Lake, Wake's main drinking water supply, is badly polluted and Wake citizens are concerned. The State Environmental Management Commission recently held public hearings in Durham and Wake counties in efforts to collect public input on the Falls Lake Rule Process.  WakeUP Wake County was well represented at both Falls Lake Public Hearings in Durham and Raleigh. WakeUP executive director, Karen Rindge, water team member, Tina-Motley Pearson, and student intern, Andrew Campbell alongside other WakeUP members strongly urged the State to clean up Falls Lake quickly, without delay. WakeUP also spoke in favor of stronger development standards in the watershed and supported Low Impact Development practices that have the potential to protect Falls from future polluted stormwater runoff. Mayor Meeker, Raleigh City Councilor Russ Stephenson and representatives from the Sierra Club, Wake Audubon Society, Neuse River Foundation and the Southern Environmental Law Center also gave remarks in favor of expediting the cleanup process and implementing stronger development standards.

  • Online TV mini series: Falls Lake, how polluted is it?-

    The state of Falls Lake continues to receive attention from concerned citizens across the Triangle.  Tina Motley Pearson, one of WakeUP's Water Team leaders and resident of Durham County, recently produced a TV mini series on the state of Falls Lake.  With a total of three installments, the program explains the implications of water pollution for area residents.  Click the link below to view all three installments of 'Save Falls Lake'.

    SAVE FALLS LAKE - view now
    Falls Lake TV miniseries is now available online!!

  • Recommendations for Ensuring Long-term Water Supply for Raleigh and Towns in Eastern Wake County-

    Click here for printable pdf

    Ensuring adequate and clean drinking water is vital to our community. As Wake County's population doubles to a projected 1.5 million by 2025, water supply may not be sufficient if current use and climate patterns continue. Future water supply plans for Raleigh's Public Utility system*, while increasing supply capacity, could fall short of needs, especially during times of drought. Planning for the future, balancing growth with water limits and implementing stronger water conservation measures are critical. Future water supply should be paid for in a way that is fair to current taxpayers. Strong and cooperative leadership at the city and county levels is needed to keep our water flowing.

  • Water Supply-

    Wake County's water supplies face significant challenges from population growth, development, loss of open space and climate change. Unless we move forward with comprehensive steps that foster long-term and integrated planning, poor growth management will burden taxpayers and degrade Wake County's wonderful quality of life. Plentiful, clean water is among the assets that will help keep Wake County healthy and competitive for our children's future. WakeUP advocates for long-term water supply planning, year-round water conservation measures, and a fair way to pay for the high costs of future infrastructure needed for water supply and water and wastewater treatment. New development and those moving here should pay their fair share for these infrastructure expenses.

  • Water Policy on Open Net TV, June 22- One of the after-effects of North Carolina's drought in 2007 and 2008 was a revitalized public discussion about how we manage our water resources. Tune in Tuesday evening to talk about a basic, community necessity - water. We'll be looking at the kinds of issues that are being addressed now, the issues most likely to arise in the next two to five years, and we'll give you an opportunity to better understand the roles of the principals in this on-going policy discussion. Here to talk with you will be Bill Holman, Director of State Policy for the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions at Duke University; Robin Smith, Assistant Secretary for the Environment with the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Erin Wynia, North Carolina League of Municipalities Policy Analyst with a primary focus in environmental issues.
  • Planning for a Sustainable Water Supply in Wake County-

     Bill Holman is currently the Director of State Policy at the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions at Duke University and former secretary of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

  • Falls Lake rule-making process - Here's What you can do to protect YOUR drinking water!-
    • City of Raleigh Delays Tiered Water Rates- Thanks to a wet spring and a cooler-than-usual summer, Raleigh escaped the severe droughts of recent years in 2009. But we cannot be sure it won't happen next year, or the year after. However, we can be prepared for future droughts. That's why the Raleigh City Council has made recommendations for water conservation.

    • WakeUP Provides Comments on Raleigh's Infrastructure Impact Plan-

      The City of Raleigh recently took comments on its draft Secondary and Cumulative Impacts (SCI) Management Plan, which addresses growth-related environmental impacts from infrastructure projects planned for Raleigh and the municipalities served by the City's Public Utilities Department. Karen Rindge, Executive Director of WakeUP Wake County, submitted oral comments on the plan at a public meeting on August 17, as well as written comments that provided additional details about WakeUP's recommendations for the plan.

    • WakeUP Wake County Applauds NC Senate for Advancing Mass Transit and Falls Lake Cleanup- For immediate release:

      Contact: Karen Rindge, Executive Director, WakeUP WakeCounty, 828-3833, 637-4271 (C)
      Date:     August 6, 2009

      Triangle residents stand to gain from two significant actions by the N.C. Senate yesterday. Amidst the flurry of legislative activity yesterday, as the NC General Assembly prepares to wrap-up its 2009 session, the Senate passed HB 148, legislation that will allow plans to build a regional mass transit system in the Triangle. The bill, almost identical to one passed by the NC House of Representatives in April, authorizes referenda in Triangle counties to fund a transit system through a half cent sales tax, and authorizes other funding measures for transit. The Senate also approved environmental legislation (HB 1099) that included provisions to start the cleanup process for Falls Lake.

    • Water and Energy Discussion Paints a Cloud with Silver Linings- The second event in the Emerging Tar Heel Leaders summer series on growth in the Triangle spotlighted the challenges and opportunities for our water and energy utilities as the population grows and we recognize the need for more sustainable resource use.
    • What's in Store for Wake County's Water?-

      Falls AlgaeResidents of Raleigh and eastern Wake County should be concerned about their drinking water supply.

    • PRESS RELEASE: WakeUP Applauds Action of Wake Commissioners and Urges Swift Action by the State to Clean Up Falls Lake-

      For Immediate Release

      Date: July 21, 2009
      Contact: Karen Rindge, 828-3833, 637-4271 (C)

      WakeUP Wake County applauds Wake's Board of Commissioners for passing a resolution urging the clean up of Falls Lake. Yesterday, Wake Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution committing the county to protect Falls Lake and to adopt improved stormwater runoff measures by the currently proposed July, 2010 deadline (click here to read the resolution).

    • Thinking about swimming in Falls Lake? Think again!-

      Just this month, two Falls Lake beaches were closed due to high levels of bacteria.  But this water isn't just for recreation.  This is the water we drink!  Both Falls Lake and Jordan Lake - Wake County's drinking supply reservoirs - are rated as "impaired."  That means they're polluted from stormwater run-off, and overgrown with potentially toxic algae.

    • Threats to Falls Lake Water Supply- Falls Lake, the drinking water supply for residents of Raleigh and eastern Wake County, has been declared "impaired" by the State, due to polluted runoff and wastewater discharged upstream. High levels of pollution and an overabundance of nutrients have resulted in toxic algal blooms and chemical conditions in the lake. Without improvements to current wastewater treatment and stormwater practices, the lake will remain impaired. Efforts are underway to clean up the lake, but they are happening very slowly.
    • Wake County Needs to Conserve Water- Water supplies available in Wake County are stressed and with growth will become inadequate. We will be forced to make unwelcome trade-offs between environmental protection and growth. Water conservation can extend the county's future growth capabilities and protect our aquatic ecosystems.
    • Water Forum LIVE-

      I'm here at the McKimmon Center with about 300 people attending the WakeUp Wake County Water Forum. Among the attendees are numerous concerned citizens, experts, elected officials, hopeful candidates and a lot of media. We're on a break between sessions. Lots of questions from the audience. The forum runs until 12pm so come on over if you're close by.

      Early session:

      Who provides water in Wake County, where does it come from?
      Tommy Esqueada, Director, Wake County Environmental Services
      Climate change and water availability.
      Rob Jackson, Director, Duke University Center on Global Change
      Environmental considerations of water use:
      Chris Goudreau, Special Projects Coordinator, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

    • Kids Get It!-

      The Neuse River was named as one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2007.

    • Got Drought?-

      North Carolina is the only state in the country where every part of the state is in a designated Drought condition. Until August ‘07 North Carolina had been spared the worst effects of Southeastern US drought conditions centered on Alabama and spreading into neighboring states, notably Georgia. As of last week, every part of North Carolina was designated as either D2 Drought, Severe, D3 Drought , Extreme or D4 Drought, Exceptional by the USDA Drought Monitor. No part of North Carolina met the criteria for D1 Drought, Moderate. Last week 46% of the state was found to be in D4 Exceptional Drought conditions, a slight decrease from 49% the previous week. Every other state in the country has at least some area designated D0 Abnormally Dry or better. Even if you’ve been living under a rock and have missed the media attention you can’t have failed to notice the drying earth beneath you.