Contact: Sharon Gladwell, (919) 715-6514
Date: February 11, 2000 Distribution: Central Coastal Plain
State Promotes Water Conservation In Central Coastal Plain

RALEIGH – Water suppliers and water users of North Carolina’s Central Coastal Plain and the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and other stakeholders have begun discussing the problem of ground water depletion in the Central Coastal Plain.

Withdrawals of ground water in certain areas of the Central Coastal Plain have exceeded their sustainable yields. In other words, ground water is being withdrawn faster than nature can replenish the supply. Because of this overpumping, declining water pressure levels, saltwater intrusion, and aquifer dewatering are occurring.

In a meeting yesterday in Kinston to address this problem, DENR’s Division of Water Resources (DWR) presented its proposed response for more careful ground water monitoring, planning for new water supplies, and regulation of water withdrawals. DWR and DENR’s Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance also introduced techniques and innovations for conserving water and using it more efficiently for both residential and industrial users.

Ground water depletion currently is of most concern in the Black Creek and the Upper Cape Fear aquifers, which supply water to many of the counties in the affected area. (Counties in the Central Coastal Plain include Beaufort, Carteret, Craven, Duplin, Edgecombe, Greene, Jones, Lenoir, Martin, Onslow, Pamlico, Pitt, Washington, Wayne, and Wilson.) Data from public water suppliers, agriculture, and industry show an estimated 120 million gallons being withdrawn daily from these two aquifers. Although some areas of the Central Coastal Plain may not be experiencing ground water depletion at the present, they may in the future.

DWR has three strategies for sustaining and efficiently using existing water supplies. One is to monitor the supply of ground water in aquifers within the Central Coastal Plain. The second is to help water suppliers and large water users plan for current and future water usage and to provide technical assistance to best manage use of existing water supplies. And, third, DWR will enact and enforce regulations to users of the Black Creek and Upper Cape Fear aquifers to sustain these ground water supplies.

“Not only is it important for us to ensure that the Central Coastal Plain has an adequate future ground water supply by regulating withdrawals,” said Tony Young, chief of DWR’s Water Supply Planning Section, “but we must work with water suppliers and users to implement conservation practices for sustaining existing water supplies.”

DWR proposed in March 1999 rules to regulate water use in the Central Coastal Plain and is currently working with stakeholders to strengthen these rules. The rules are anticipated to become effective July of this year.

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