Durham May Face Water Crisis First

[WillyT]

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DURHAM - With central North Carolina suffering through the worst drought on record and a projected dry winter ahead, the Triangle is as close as it has ever been to severe restrictions limiting water use to hygiene and extinguishing fires.
Durham, with just 59 days left in its main water supply, could be on the front lines of this worst-case scenario.

Up to now, the prospect has been too far-fetched to entertain in detail, which is why there are few specifics in Durham ordinances about what would happen if the drought doesn't let up. Raleigh also lacks a set plan for an end-times-type drought.

Durham would ban industrial water use -- a potentially devastating economic blow. It would hit water-driven businesses such as car washes and laundries directly but also could force businesses to cut shifts or even lay off workers.

Residential water would be rationed, but it's unknown how that would be implemented. Limiting water service to certain hours a day or dropping water pressure are possibilities.

Vicki Westbrook, deputy director of Durham's water management department, said the city is doing all it can to stave off doomsday.

That includes spending more than $1 million -- exact figures haven't been tabulated -- to connect to alternative water sources, including Jordan Lake and a nearby quarry. Then there are the ever-tightening water restrictions; Durham residents and businesses are being asked to cut water use by 50 percent.

Some say that won't be enough in the long term.

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More: http://www.newsobserver.com/weather/drought/story/802642.html

Is it time to think about a national aqueduct system???

:shrug:

It would definitely put people to work.