Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Water - Should permits be required?

An editorial in today’s News and Observer correctly pointed out a serious matter that North Carolina, as well as many other states must deal with: Water Allocation. The editorial points out that one company might sink wells into a aquifer and take so much water that other users, such as other factories or towns, would not have enough water.

As the editorial points out, “A scarce, essential resource shouldn't be allocated on the basis of which consumers have the sharpest elbows, the most money or the most clout.” Something may be done about it. The NC General Assembly commissioned a study, led by Richard Whisnant of the UNC School of Government and Bill Holman of Duke University. Likely this study will suggest that the state require permits for water usage exceeding 100,000 gallons per day.

News and Observer Editorial

Draft of Whisnant-Holman report