Golf courses, other private water users not reporting water use

ASHEVILLE (AP) -- Businesses and residents that use private water supplies in North Carolina are required to report how much water they use.

But state officials say lack of reporting has become a widespread problem.

The Asheville Citizen-Times reported Monday that officials are considering tightening the rules.

The state's water-supply planning chief, Linwood Peele, said golf courses appear to be the most common offenders, though it's likely an honest oversight.

Golf courses were targeted last fall when state officials mailed almost 700 letters informing course owners about the rules. In response, registrations nearly tripled.

State environmental secretary Bill Ross said the state's water supply can't be managed if regulators don't know how much water is being used.

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Information from: The Asheville Citizen-Times,
http://www.citizen-times.com

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)